Kujūla Kadphises' "Roman" Coin: an Issue for Merchants (original) (raw)
Related papers
Evidence for Cultural Influence and Trade in the Coinage of the Western Kshatrapas
Berkeley Undergraduate Journal of Classics 3 (1), 2014
Occupying a pivotal spot on the north-west coast of India in the first centuries CE, the Kingdom of the Western Kshatrapas remains one of the most neglected parts of India’s ancient past. As a key regional power, and part of the major ocean trade with Rome, this is unfortunate and deserves to be rectified. This piece, by Guy Bud, an Undergraduate at Oxford University, deals with the coins of the region and asks what their stylistic aspects can tell us about the cultures which mixed in the region at the time. Looking at the Roman, Hellenistic and local coinage traditions, the article engaged with the idea of cultural transition and influence in this very singular context. (Written 2013)
Notae Numismaticae, 2020
This paper focuses on a relatively unknown group of published and unpublished Roman gold coins and their imitations from India with a large gold plug placed behind the head of an emperor. This phenomenon was briefly discussed by Peter Berghaus, who rightly noticed that the size of the filling on those coins suggests that the purpose for placing such material into the hole was different than simply the repair of a piercing made previously for a piece of jewellery. He considers the possibility that the holes were made in order to check whether those coins were plated or not and were later refilled with gold so that the coins could return to the money market. I would like to present a different explanation of this phenomenon. I would argue that those coins were perforated and plugged in order to adjust their weight. Such an adjustment let them be used as money in the Subcontinent. Similar phenomena from various parts of the world and time periods constitute the key to understand the purpose of plugging those coins and those analogies are examined in this paper as well.
Cultural Kaleidoscope: COINS OF THE KUSHANAS
World of Coins, 2016
The Kushan Empire was established by ethic Chinese migrants over the remnants of the Indo-Greeks and Scythian territories. The Kushan coinage is very impressive drawing its inspiration from the diverse cultures of various people residing in the Indian sub-continent. This paper commences with an imaginary recreation of the inspiration behind Vima Kadphises to issue India's first gold coins with Shiva featured prominently on them; the various deities appearing on Kushan coins; and the outline of the various elements associated with Kushan coinage.
Roman Coins in India and their impact.pdf
ROMAN COINS IN INDIA AND THEIR IMPACT KANCHAN GANGULY The English word ‘Numismatic’ is derived from latin word ‘Numisma’, means ‘study of coin’. Coins are remarkably durable objects and remained in circulation for long periods of times after they were originally issued. There are several series of foreign coins found in India. It is often applied in India to coins by dynasties of non-indigenous origin, as well as to coins imported from abroad. Among such coins, I would like to discuss some of the best coins found in Ancient India, the Roman coinages. So I shall pick up only a few of them to illustrate the relevance of their study, imported into India by a way of trade, brought by the Indians and left behind by the travelers. The discovery of a large number of Roman coins in India should originally indicate about commercial contacts of their origin. The coins are actually used for payments, but their value would have been determined by the worth of their metal in the Indian market. The Roman coins imported as bullion could have been used in certain areas and periods as media of exchange. It containing precious metals such as gold and silver will have arrived in India as trade consignments. The importance of the Roman coins in India goes beyond their commercial implications. The impact and influences of Roman coins directly reflects on Indian coins. The arrival in India of large number of Roman coins can however be dated to the early phase of Indo-Roman trade, the period 30 BC - 45 AD. The coins are found in various parts of India, like Andhrapradesh, Gujrat, Nasik, Kerala and Tamilnadu. The issues of gold aurei and silver denarii coins exported to India were carefully selected with weight-standard and high gold and silver content. The coins are generally used as a medium of exchange, as raw material for the indigenous coinage, and as ornaments for the natives. In the present essay an attempt has to be made to investigate the impact and influence of Roman coins on India. The types, techniques, weight-standard, metal, variety of these coins have to be studied. Since a large number of research papers, some monographs and books are available for serious researcher. Here an attempt will be made to acquaint the layman about the significance and importance of the foreign coins specially the Roman coins found in India.
4 NOTE ON THE SOLITARY ROMAN GOLD COIN IN SRI VENKATESWARA MUSEUM, TIRUPATI COLLECTION
STUDIES IN SOUTH INDIAN COINS, Vol.29, 2020
This paper aims to bring out the importance of the gold aureus of Roman Emperor Nero and its chisel mark on the confronting busts of the royal authority with reference to the similar chisel cuts known from other hoards found in India. It also discusses the significances of these chisel marks in exchanging of these coins for their intrinsic-cum-coined money value.
AN INTRODUCTION TO ANCIENT INDIAN COINS
Coins are as important as the inscription in history. They confirm the information derived fr om literature. They are of various metals – gold, silver, copper, or alloy and contain legends or simple marks. The coins are very important to the reconstruct of the ancient Indian history. It is a part of archaeological sources .Those with dates is prob ably very valuable for the framework of Indian chronology. Coins are almost our sole evidence with regarded to the Indo Scythian and Indo Bactrian King. The Bilingual coins had served as Rosetta Stones in deciphering the Ancient Indian writings. The purity of the metal reflects the financial conditions of the Gupta Empire. The inscription on the coin indicates territory over which the rulers ruled. Some coin throws significant light on the personal events of certain rulers. The discovery of the same kind of coins at different places helps up in fixing the coverage of various kingdoms in ancient India.
Historical studies of Ancient Bharata have to be reviewed in the context of the numismatic resources now available. This review has to extend over a period exceeding 1000 years from ca. 150 BCE following categories of rulers referred to as Indo-Bactrian or Indo-Greek satraps and at least until the reign of Vijayanagara Empire of Krishna Deva Raya (1509-1530). One remarkable feature of these coins is the continuing tradition in mints from Gandhara to Vijayanagara (Hampi) using Harappa Script hieroglyphs such as: mountain ranges, elephant, zebu, thunderbolt (vajra), spoked wheel, yupa. Indo-Bactrian coins, Menander I, Harappa Script hieroglyphs, ca. 150 BCE. Telephos and smith, kharoshthi legend 80-60 BCE https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History\_of\_the\_Indo-Greek\_Kingdom#/media/File:Indo-Greeks\_100bc.jpg I am excerpting Wikipedia entries on Menander I and Indo-Greek rulers of early centuries together with some examples of coins attributed to Indo-Greeks. The term Indo-Greek ro Indo-Bactrian are indicative of the use of kharoshthi/brahmi inscriptions and Vedic themes in hieroglyphs signfying cultural activities. For example, a Menander I coin signifies a spoked-wheel and a forked/curved stake for medhA 'yajna' and metalwork. Telephos coins signify a smith at work in front of a vedi/yajna kunda. A reference is also provided to Heliodorus pillar with Brahmi inscription and Garuda dhvaja. The most significant aspect of these examples is the adoption of Hindu cultural traditions in sculptures/ancient coins by the Indo-Greek or Indo-Bactria satraps (e.g. Apollotodus I with evidences of standards of Bharatam Janam, mintworkers of Bharata) in parts of Bharat -- Takshasila, Vidisha. Монета короля Менандра Menander I coin. Vedic tradition.ca. 150 BCE The two hieroglyphs on the obverse and reverse are Harappa Script hieroglyphs. One shows caṣāla on yupa and the obverse shows the yupa of a Somayaga yajna kunda. Menander I, Bronze Half unit Weight: 1.57 gm. Dimensions: 12 x 12 mm Die axis: 12h Eight-spoke wheel (dharmachakra), Greek legend on three sides: BAΣIΛEΩΣ ΣΩTHPOΣ MENANΔPOY Palm branch, monogram at right, Kharoshthi legend on three sides: maharajasa tratarasa menamdrasa Reference: MIG 241a, Bop 37A Only one specimen of this coin is known; it resides in the British Museum. This type is the only coin of Menander that has an explicit Buddhist theme. Its extreme rarity is why I feel Menander never actually adopted Buddhism ... the coins are the only specific, tangible evidence we have of his reign and they do not exhibit (except for this unique coin) any Buddhist influence. (photo courtesy Wikipedia) mēḍhā m A stake, esp. as forked. Rebus 1: mẽṛhẽt, meḍ 'iron' (Munda.Ho.) med 'copper' (Slavic languages) rebus 2: मेधा = धन Naigh. ii , 10. pl. products of intelligence , thoughts , opinions) RV mēdhḥ मेधः An offering, oblation. Thus,mēḍhā 'stake' is central to the process of yajna and creation of धन dhana, 'wealth'. See: http://bharatkalyan97.blogspot.in/2016/10/metalwork-metaphors-of-harappa-script.html http://bharatkalyan97.blogspot.in/2016/10/metalwork-metaphors-of-harappa-script.html http://bharatkalyan97.blogspot.in/2015/12/yupa-medha-stake-indus-script.html kund opening in the nave or hub of a wheel to admit the axle (Santali) Rebus: kundam, kund a sacrificial fire-pit (Skt.) kunda ‘turner’ kundār turner. eraka 'nave of wheel' rebus erako 'moltencast' eraka, arka 'copper, gold' arA 'spoke of wheel' rebus: Ara 'brass'. https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/bd/Coin\_of\_Telephos.jpg Era: 80-60 B.C. Obverse: Zeus enthroned left raised right hand and staff over left shoulder. Greek legend “BAΣIΛEΩΣ EVEPΓETOY THΛEΦOY”. Reverse: Male figure squatting right. Kharosthi legend “Maharajasa Kalanokramasa Teliphasa”. Weight: 8.2 gms Dimension: 23 mm x 19 mm Reference: MACW-2097. BAKTRIA, Indo-Greek Kingdom. Telephos. Circa 80-70 BC. Æ Quadruple Unit (8.96 g, 12h). Zeus enthroned slightly left, raising hand and holding palm / Man seated right on low rocky surface before small fire, warming hands; branch over shoulder, container at feet, to left, monogram. Bopearachchi Série 3A; SNG ANS -; CNG 76, 955 (same obv. die); CNG 69, 828. Good VF, black-green patina with traces of brown overtones. https://cngcoins.com/Coin.aspx?CoinID=140244 Coin of Indo-Greek king Telephos with depiction of a sage offering into Agni. His danda & kamandalu seen nearby. 1st century BCE. Coin Galleries: Indo-Greeks: Telephos (c. 75-70 BCE) Telephos (or Telephus) was an ephemeral king in the Gandhara region who perhaps succeeded Maues there. His coins are all very rare and are most unusual in design; none of them bear his portrait. He may have belonged to an Indo-Scythian clan. Telephos, Silver tetradrachm Weight: 8.94 gm. Diameter: 26 mm. Die axis: 12h Anguiped, with legs ending in lotus blossoms, Greek legend around: BAΣIΛEΩΣ EYEOΓETOY / THΛEΦOY (Basileos Evergetou Telephou ... of King Telephos, the benefactor) Radiate Helios (sun god) and lunate Salene (moon goddess) standing facing, Kharoshthi legend around: maharajasa kalanakramasa / teliphasa Reference: MIG ---, Bop --- This coin sold on Sep 19, 2012 for 16,100.Ananguipedisasnake−leggeddeityandthecoinsofTelephosmaybetheironlyappearanceonanycoinage.NotetradrachmsofTelephoswereknownuntiltheearlypartofthe21stcentury,whenafewappeared.Theyareextremelyrare,asareallTelephoscoins.Notethemis−spellingoftheking′stitleinGreekonthiscoin.(photocourtesyCNG,asaresomeothersonthispage)Telephos,SilverdrachmWeight:2.13gm.Diameter:18mm.Dieaxis:12hAnguiped,withlegsendinginlotusblossoms,Greeklegendaround:BAΣIΛEΩΣEYEPΓETOY/THΛEΦOY(BasileosEvergetouTelephou...ofKingTelephos,thebenefactor)RadiateHelios(sungod)andlunateSalene(moongoddess)standingfacing,Kharoshthilegendaround:maharajasakalanakramasa/teliphasaReference:MIG451a,Bop1AThiscoinsoldonMay18,2011for16,100.An anguiped is a snake-legged deity and the coins of Telephos may be their only appearance on any coinage. No tetradrachms of Telephos were known until the early part of the 21st century, when a few appeared. They are extremely rare, as are all Telephos coins. Note the mis-spelling of the king's title in Greek on this coin. (photo courtesy CNG, as are some others on this page) Telephos, Silver drachm Weight: 2.13 gm. Diameter: 18 mm. Die axis: 12h Anguiped, with legs ending in lotus blossoms, Greek legend around: BAΣIΛEΩΣ EYEPΓETOY / THΛEΦOY (Basileos Evergetou Telephou ... of King Telephos, the benefactor) Radiate Helios (sun god) and lunate Salene (moon goddess) standing facing, Kharoshthi legend around: maharajasa kalanakramasa / teliphasa Reference: MIG 451a, Bop 1A This coin sold on May 18, 2011 for 16,100.Ananguipedisasnake−leggeddeityandthecoinsofTelephosmaybetheironlyappearanceonanycoinage.NotetradrachmsofTelephoswereknownuntiltheearlypartofthe21stcentury,whenafewappeared.Theyareextremelyrare,asareallTelephoscoins.Notethemis−spellingoftheking′stitleinGreekonthiscoin.(photocourtesyCNG,asaresomeothersonthispage)Telephos,SilverdrachmWeight:2.13gm.Diameter:18mm.Dieaxis:12hAnguiped,withlegsendinginlotusblossoms,Greeklegendaround:BAΣIΛEΩΣEYEPΓETOY/THΛEΦOY(BasileosEvergetouTelephou...ofKingTelephos,thebenefactor)RadiateHelios(sungod)andlunateSalene(moongoddess)standingfacing,Kharoshthilegendaround:maharajasakalanakramasa/teliphasaReference:MIG451a,Bop1AThiscoinsoldonMay18,2011for2,645. Telephos, Silver drachm Weight: 1.39 gm. Diameter: 16 mm. Die axis: 12h Anguiped, with legs ending in lotus blossoms, Greek legend around: BAΣIΛEΩΣ EYEPΓETOY / THΛEΦOY (Basileos Evergetou Telephou ... of King Telephos, the benefactor) Radiate Helios (sun god) and lunate Salene (moon goddess) standing facing, Kharoshthi legend around: maharajasa kalanakramasa / teliphasa Reference: MIG 451a, Bop 1A Telephos, Silver tetradrachm Weight: 9.42 gm. Diameter: 26 mm. Die axis: 12h Anguiped, with legs ending in lotus blossoms, Greek legend around: BAΣIΛEΩΣ EYEPΓETOY / THΛEΦOY (Basileos Evergetou Telephou ... of King Telephos, the benefactor) Radiate Helios (sun god) walking right up a pile of rocks, lunate Salene (moon goddess) standing facing, with stars flanking her lunar crown, Kharoshthi legend around: maharajasa kalanakramasa / teliphasa Reference: MIG ---, Bop --- This coin sold on Jan 7, 2013 for $17,250.An amazing coin, apparently unique, that appeared in a recent auction. Helios here has an elaborate halo and Salene not only has the lunar crescent on her brow, but has stars flanking it, representing the night sky. Telephos, AE hemi-obol or quadruple unit Weight: 8.95 gm. Dimensions: 21 x 20 mm. Die axis: 12h Zeus enthroned three-quarters left, Greek legend around: BAΣIΛEΩΣ / EYEPΓETOY / THΛEΦOY (Basileos Evergetou Telephou ... of King Telephos, the benefactor) Man (fakir?) squatting right, holding a walking stick ? Kharoshthi legend around: maharajasa / kalanakra / masa teliphasa Reference: MIG 453a, Bop 3A Telephos, AE hemi-obol or quadruple unit Weight: 7.21 gm. Dimensions: 21 x 24 mm. Die axis: 12h Zeus enthroned three-quarters left, Greek legend around: BAΣIΛEΩΣ / EYEPΓETOY / THΛEΦOY (Basileos Evergetou Telephou ... of King Telephos, the benefactor) Man (fakir?) squatting right, holding a walking stick ? Kharoshthi legend around: maharajasa / kalanakra / masa teliphasa Reference: MIG 453a, Bop 3A Telephos, AE hemi-obol or quadruple unit Weight: 9.46 gm. Dimensions: n.a. Die axis: 12h Zeus enthroned three-quarters left, Greek legend around: BAΣIΛEΩΣ / EYEPΓETOY / THΛEΦOY (Basileos Evergetou Telephou ... of King Telephos, the benefactor) Man (fakir?) squatting right, holding a walking stick ? Kharoshthi legend around: maharajasa / kalanakra / masa teliphasa http://coinindia.com/galleries-telephos.html
