Nahapana
Indian kings on a coin
Silver
circa 50-99 CE
India, Western India
CSMVS
Details
Culture/Civilisation
Ancient India
Theme
Empire: Projecting Power
Subtheme
Seeing the Ruler / Royal Portraiture
Case Title
Indian kings on a coin
Display Location
Coomaraswamy Hall
Findspot
Western India
Measurements
Diameter: 18 mm; Weight: 1.92 gm
Accession Number
22459
Description
Coins are the pictorial mass-media of the ancient world. Widely circulated, the king becomes part of your everyday shopping.
Following Greek models, Indian kings around 200 BCE began putting their portraits on coins. These were usually images of power rather than actual likenesses, showing the king as warrior or hunter, with his queen or playing a musical instrument. The other side shows a protective deity.
Curators Comments
Obv: Bust of king to right, with collar showing and wearing a satrapal cap; Greek inscription RANNIO SAHARATAS NAHAPANAC (partly seen and partly blundered)
Rev: In the centre, arrow pointing downwards on left, pellet in the centre and thunderbolt on right; Brahmi inscription on right, (11-12) Rajño Kshaharatasa Na…….; Kharoshthi inscription on left (11) Raño Chhaha….
This is a drachm coin of Nahapana, the Kshatrapa ruler. It bears a portrait of the ruler in profile, shown wearing a satrapal cap and a collar. It carries a legend in Greek script, mentioning the king’s name. Though partially blundered, it follows the Greek pattern of coinage. The reverse has legends in Brahmi and Kharoshthi scripts.
