Nahapana’s coin over struck by Gautamiputra Satkarni
Silver
1-200 CE
India
CSMVS
Details
Culture/Civilisation
Ancient India
Theme
Empire: Projecting Power
Subtheme
How Do We Know Who’s in Charge?
Case Title
Indian kings on a coin
Display Location
Coomaraswamy Hall
Findspot
Western India
Measurements
Diameter. 18mm Weight. 2.43gm
Accession Number
22460
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
This coin was originally issued by the Kshatrapa ruler Nahapana (see bust) but was overstruck by the Satavahana ruler Gautamiputra Siri Satakarni having defeated Nahapana. The bust is that of Nahapana and the hill symbol along with his name in Brahmi over it, is that of Gautamiputra.
