Resources for collectors

Resources for collectors - 1st issue large Magadha karshapanas (ca.550-470 BC)

This page is meant as a resource for collectors, illustrating and discussing 1st issue Karshapanas from the ancient Kingdom of Magadha in India. The coins pictured on this particular page are not for sale.

If you want to use some of this page or some of the images - please ask first. Please do not copy the information shown here and reproduce it elsewhere.

Index | Series 1 karshapanas (ca.550-470 BC) | Series 2 karshapanas (ca.470-445 BC)

The 1st series silver karshapanas from Magadha were the earliest coins of Magadha produced on a large scale. The issue has the largest number of types of all seven Magadha/Maurya issues of silver karshapanas, but it is the least known. These coins are all rare, with a lot of the published specimens known only from a single example and a hoard evidence being scanty. The large number of types (264 published by Gupta/Hardaker and many more unpublished) probably meant that relatively few coins of each type were produced, and many of these coins were melted and restruck as karshapanas of the following series.

Karshapanas from the 1st series are easily distinguished from later coins by their large size. The coins have stylistic links to the earlier pre-karshapanas coinage, and the punchmarks are often large and crude. Banker's marks are common - on some coins they are so numerous that they obscure the punchmarks. A few of the bankers' marks are large and well-struck, and are sometimes confused with one of the punchmarks. The date when these coins started being issued is most obscure. It is fairly certain that by ca.470 BC the large flat karshapanas such as this coin were replaced by karshapanas of the same weight but struck on smaller, thicker flan. So the tentative dating of these coins is ca.550 BC (when the first coins of this type were produced) until about 470 BC, when they were replaced by type II karshapanas.

Gupta/Hardaker makes no attempt to assign rarity ranking to series I coins. Gupta rated them all "Rare", though this rating is not always valid (some examples are unique, while other are much more common).

Catalogue:

Gupta and Hadraker catalogue number

Picture

symbols

Notes

G/H unpublished

I VI D -

This remarkable coin cannot be easily classified according to the Gupta-Hardaker book. It is a part of series I IV, but the 5th symbol is a new one (?). (Photo courtesy CNG)

G/H unpublished

I VI D 35

3.38 grams. This remarkable coin cannot be easily classified according to the Gupta-Hardaker book. It is probably a part of series I IV, so it can tentatively be assigned designation I IV D 35. The second symbol is unknown for this series, and the 4th symbol is a new one (?). (Source: Shinji Hirano collection)

G/H 39

I VI A 1

Very rare early issue.

??? (Source: Anonymous collector)

G/H 42

I VI A 28

Very rare early issue.

3,38 grams. (Source: Anonymous collector)

G/H 48

I VI C 1

Irregular flan

Round flan

Irregular flan: 3.36 grams. (Source: Shinji Hirano collection)

Round flan: 3.39 grams. This piece comes with a very unusual and rarely seen large and bold banker's mark: (Source: Shinji Hirano collection)

More examples:

3.4 grams. (Source: Shinji Hirano collection)

This type is more common than most of the first issue karshapanas

G/H 48

I VI C 1 - unpublished error type with 6 symbols

The third symbol was struck twice, probably because the first stike was mostly off flan. 3.43 grams (Courtesy ACC)

G/H 53

I VI C 29

3,38 grams. (Source: Shinji Hirano collection)

G/H 55

I VI C 34

3,4 grams. (Source: anonymous collection)

G/H 60

I VI D 1

24x24mm, 3.6 grams. Overstruck on an earlier type. (Source: ACC)

G/H 69

I VIII A 35

25x21mm, 3.6 grams (Source: Anonymous collector)

Unlisted error coin:

G/H 86, I XI A 1

overstriking

G/H 77, VIII B 46

overstriking

Unpublished coin, doubly interesting - the overstruck type is of an unpublished variety, and the overstriking type shows the sun symbol three times for some reason. The multiple sun symbols are unusual - this coin might be an ancient counterfeit, though it seems to be made of good silver. It is REMOTELY possible that the coin is a modern fake (the style is a tiny bit off, and the coin comes from a group of large series karshapanas with a wrong number of symbol and multiple suns).

??? (Source: Anonymous collector)

unlisted

G/H #89/90

I X A 2

26x25mm, 3.5 grams. Coin from a completely unpublished series - based on the symbols, it can be placed right between G/H numbers 89 and 90, and it would have a G/H series number I X A 2. Extremely rare coin, known only from a single specimen (I bought it from a European dealer for my own collection, but it got lost in the mail in 2004).

G/H #93

I XII A 28

3.18 grams. (Source: Shinji Hirano collection)

G/H #102

I XV A 1

Irregular flan

Round flan

Irregular flan: 3.36 grams. (Source: Shinji Hirano collection)

Round flan: 3.45 grams. (Source: Shinji Hirano collection)

Unpublished

G/H #102 var.

Completely unpublished type, would have had series I XVb type (I think) in Gupta/Hardaker. The same as G/H 102, but the third symbol is a bow and arrow and not a rabbit (or dog).

??? (Source: Anonymous collector)

G/H #103

I XV A 2

3.40 grams. (Source: Shinji Hirano collection)

Additional examples:

3.28 grams. (Source: Shinji Hirano collection)

G/H #108

I XV A 35

3.37 grams. (Source: Shinji Hirano collection)

Additional examples

??? (Source: Anonymous collector)

unlisted

Series I XVIII

A remarkable and unique coin that probably belongs to series XVIII, but cannot be fitted into G/H classification because of the symbols from different series. The multiple sun symbols are also unusual - this coin might be an ancient counterfeit, though it seems to be made of good silver. It is REMOTELY possible that the coin is a modern fake (the style is a tiny bit off, and the coin comes from a group of large series karshapanas with a wrong number of symbol and multiple suns).

Large "sun" banker's mark on reverse. (Source: ACC)

G/H #119

I XVIII B 1

Irregular flan

Round flan

Relatively common type.

Irregular flan: 3.09 grams. (Source: Shinji Hirano collection)

Round flan: 3.3 grams. (Source: Shinji Hirano collection)

More specimens:

	23x21mm, 3.2 grams. (Source: ACC)
	25mm, 3.5 grams. (Source: ACC)

unlisted

(I XVIII B 1 var. - G/H # 119 var.)

This coin shows the "bow and arrow" symbol struck twice. It is certainly a mint error with one of the symbols struck twice - the examples with 6 various punchmarks are known, but are very rare. 24.5x22mm, 3.4 grams. (Source: ACC)

G/H unpublished

I XVIII B 4

This type is unpublished with this 5th mark. It would fit between the G/H numbers 120 and 121, and would carry a series number I XVIII B 4.
3.45 grams. (Source: Shinji Hirano collection)

G/H unpublished

I XVIII B 34

This type is unpublished with this 5th mark. It would fit between the G/H numbers 122 and 123, and would carry a series number I XVIII B 34.
3.41 grams. (Source: Shinji Hirano collection)

Additional examples:

??? (Anonymous collector)

G/H #123

I XVIII B 37

25x24mm, 3.3 grams. Overstruck on an earlier type. (Source: ACC)

G/H #131

I XVIII C 35

3.23 grams. (Source: Shinji Hirano collection)

G/H #132

I XVIII C 36

Round flan

Irregular flan

Round flan: 3.16 grams. (Source: Shinji Hirano collection)

Irregular flan: 3.38 grams. (Source: Shinji Hirano collection)

G/H #148

I XXI A 1

3.32 grams. (Source: Shinji Hirano collection)

G/H 150

I XXI A 4

26x24mm, 3.4 grams. (Source: ACC)

More examples:

	25x23mm, 3.3 grams. (Source: ACC)
	3.37 grams. (Source: Shinji Hirano collection)

G/H #151

I XXI A 28

24x19mm, 3.5 grams. Very rare. (Source: ACC)

G/H #152

I XXI A 29

3.38 grams. (Source: Shinji Hirano Collection)

G/H #155

I XXI A35

24x19mm, 3.5 grams. (Source: ACC)

G/H #157

I XXII A 1

25mm, 3.36 grams. (Source: ACC)

G/H #159

I XXII A 39

Very rare. 24x21mm, 3.4 grams. (Source: ACC)

For corrections to G/H #160-164 (see "corrections" above)

Series I XXIII A seems to be quite incomplete in Gupta/Hardaker- there are many specimens I found that are not listed in the catalogues.

G/H 160

I XXIII A 1

26x22mm, 3.4 grams. The "branch" variety is not recorded in Gupta and Hadraker - see "corrections" above. (Source: ACC)

Unpublished

G/H 162/163 var.

I XXIII A 28

Round flan

Square flan

Gupta and Hadraker unlisted - if it was listed, it would fit precisely between Gupta/Hardaker 162 and 163, and would have a series number I XXXIII A 28). The "branch" variety is not recorded in Gupta and Hadraker - see "corrections" above

Round flan: 26x22mm, 3.4 grams. (Source: ACC)

Square flan: 3.5 grams. (Source: Shinji Hirano collection)

More examples:

3.41 grams. (Source: Shinji Hirano collection)

Unpublished

G/H 162/163 var.

I XXIII A 29

27.5x22mm, 3.4 grams. Gupta and Hadraker -; Rajgor PMC -.

This type is unlisted in the major reference - if it was listed, it would have a G/H series number I XXIII A 29, and would fit right between #162 and 163. (Source: ACC)

Unpublished

G/H 162/163 var.

I XXIII A 29var.

Round flan

Irregular flan

Very rare. Gupta and Hadraker -; Rajgor PMC -. Unknown punchmark #5.

Round flan: 3.38 grams. (Source: Shinji Hirano collection)

Irregular flan: 3.36 grams. (Source: Shinji Hirano collection)

This type is unlisted in the major reference and the 5th punchmark is unknown - it may be a modification of I XXIII A 29, with the 5th symbol incorrectly engraved.

Unpublished

G/H 162/163 var.

I XXIII A 30

3.24 grams. Gupta and Hadraker -; Rajgor PMC -.

This type is unlisted in the major reference - if it was listed, it would have a G/H series number I XXIII A 30, and would fit right between #162 and 163. (Source: Shinji Hirano collection)

Unpublished

G/H 164/165

I XXIII A 35

3.24 grams. The "branch" variety is not recorded in Gupta and Hadraker - see "corrections" above. This type with the 5th punchmark is unpublished. (Source: Shinji Hirano collection)

*****

G/H 165

I XXIV A 1

Round flan

Square flan

One of the more common types of issue I karshapanas.

Round flan: 21x25mm, 3.3 grams. (Source: ACC)

Square flan: 21x20mm, 3.4 grams. (Source: ACC)

Additional examples:

#2:

Unpublished

G/H 165var.

I XXIV A series

Extremely unusual and rare piece with 7 punchmarks - probably an error of some sorts. Unique?

24x20mm, 3.22 grams. (Source: ACC)

G/H 166

I XXIV A 2

24x20mm, 3.26 grams. (Source: ACC)

G/H 168

I XXIV A 28

24x20mm, 3.15 grams. (Source: ACC)

G/H #175

I XXV A 1

3.2 grams. (Source: Shinji Hirano collection)

#2: 25x22mm, ACC

G/H #176

I XXV A 2

3.2 grams. (Source: Shinji Hirano collection)

G/H #178

I XXV A 4

Miscast planchet.

3.2 grams. (Source: Shinji Hirano collection)

G/H #183

I XXVI A 1

23x19mm, 3.4 grams. (Source: ACC)

G/H #184

I XXVI A 2

25x19mm, 3.2 grams. (Source: ACC)

G/H #unlisted

I XVI A 30

The fifth symbol is unlisted for this series.

??? (Source: Anonymous collector)

G/H #186

I XXVI A 35

21x20mm, 3.4 grams. (Source: ACC)

G/H #188

I XXVII A 1

Irregular flan

Round flan

One of the more common types.

Irregular flan: 3.4 grams. (Source: Shinji Hirano collection)

Round flan: 3.19 grams. (Source: Shinji Hirano collection)

Additional examples:

Source: ACC

G/H unlisted

I XXVII A 2 var. - G/H #189 var.

This type is either unpublished, or, more likely, a mint error with one of the symbols struck twice (in error or for some other reason), and the proper symbol omitted. Very rare. 20x18mm, 3.4 grams. (Source: ACC)

G/H #192

I XXVII A 29

3.37 grams. (Source: Shinji Hirano collection)

This piece comes with a very unusual and rarely seen large and bold banker's mark:

Additional examples:

#2: (ACC, 3.44 grams)

#3: (ACC, 3.39 grams)

G/H #unpublished

G/H 193 var.

I XXVII A 30 var

Rare type with an extra 4th mark - a mint error

(Source: ACC)

G/H #unpublished

I XXVII A 37

3.39 grams. (Source: Shinji Hirano collection)

A series (?) paralleling G/H series XXVII (see above) might have gone unnoticed by Gupta and Hardaker. The second symbol is different, though the other 4 symbols are the same.

Unpublished

G/H #188 var.

I XXVIIb A 1

24x20mm, 3.32 grams (Source: ACC).

Unique?

Unpublished

G/H #195 var.

I XXVIIb A 35

30x16mm, 3.26 grams (Source: ACC).

Unique?

***

G/H #196

I XXVIII A 1

Example 1

Example 2

One of the more common types

Example 1: 26x21mm, 3.2 grams. (Source: ACC)

Example 2: 25x20mm, 2.9 grams. (Source: ACC)

More examples:

Photo courtesy CNG

22x24mm, 3.43 grams (source: ACC)

G/H #196 var. (?)

I XXVIII A 1 var.

This coin bears an additional punchmark in a shape of a flower

. The mark is large and strong, and does not look like a banker's mark. On the other hand, it was the last mark to be applied (it is struck over two other punchmarks), so it might be a banker's mark after all. 25x20.5mm, 3.4 grams. (Source: ACC)

G/H unlisted

I XXVIII A 3 var. - #198 var.

26x17mm, 3.4 grams. This type has an unpublished variety of the 6-arm symbol. (Source: ACC)

G/H #201

I XXVIII A29

Many bankers' marks obscure many of the punch-marks. 24x19mm, 3.0 grams. (Source: ACC)

G/H #202

I XXVIII A 30

25x19mm, 3.1 grams. (Source: ACC)

Unpublished

G/H #203/204 var.

I XXVIII A 52

Unique. 24x24mm, 3.4 grams. This type (with this fifth symbol) is unlisted for this series- if it was listed, it would have a G/H series number I XXVIII A 52, and would fit right between #203 and #205. (Source: ACC)

Unpublished

G/H 204/205 var. (series 196-204 var. )

I XXVIII B 2

21x22mm, 3.4 grams. Gupta and Hadraker -; Rajgor PMC -.

This type (with this fourth symbol) is unlisted in the major reference - if it was listed, it would have a G/H series number I XXVIII B 2, and would fit right between #204 and 205. (Source: ACC)

G/H #205

I XXIX A 1

3.48 grams. (Source: Shinji Hirano Collection)

More examples:

3.39 grams. (Source: Shinji Hirano Collection)

3.39 grams. (Source: ACC)

Overstruck

G/H #206/317

series I XXIX A 2

overstruck with

Five various punchmarks (Gupta/Hardaker series III IX A 1, #317) / Five various punchmarks (Gupta/Hardaker series I XXIX A 2, #206). 23x17mm, 3.04 grams.

This coin is a first series coin, the reverse of which was (at a later date) overstruck with the 5 symbols from the 3rd series. ALL overstruck 1st series coins are EXTREMLY rare (G/H #317 is particularly rare). (Source: ACC)

G/H #207

I XXIX A 4

27x24mm, 3.3 grams. (Source: ACC)

G/H #208

I XXIX A 28

26x24mm, 2.9 grams. (Source: ACC)

This coin features a large number of bankers' marks on the reverse and a large barnker's mark on obverse:

Unpublished

G/H #211/212 var.

I XXXIX A 37

23x21mm, 3.4 grams. Unlisted in Gupta and Hadraker - if it was listed, it would have had a catalogue number I XXXIX A 37, and it would be located right between G/H #211 and 212. (Source: ACC)

Unpublished

G/H #212/213 var.

- I XXXIX A 39

25x23mm, 3.4 grams. Unrecorded combination of symbols. Unpublished in Gupta/Hardaker, if it was listed there it would fit in right between #212 and 213 and would have a series number I XXXII A 39. (Source: ACC)

More examples:

3.41 grams. (Source: Shinji Hirano collection)

G/H #219

I XXXI A 1

3.42 grams. (Source: Shinji Hirano collection)

G/H #220

I XXXI A 2

Strong large banker's mark in form of 3 circles (2 small and 1 large) with a dot inside.

. Overstruck on an older type.

3.4 grams. (Source: Shinji Hirano collection)

G/H #222

I XXXI A 29

3.4 grams. (Source: Shinji Hirano collection)

G/H #223

I XXXI A 35

23x22mm, 3.3 grams. (Source: ACC)

More examples:

Photo courtesy CNG - unusual specimen, with traces of the second symbol on reverse and a bunch of unidentified symbols on obverse

Unpublished

I XXXI A46

Unlisted type, very rare. If it was listed in Gupta/Hardaker, it would have been located between numbers 224 and 225..

3.5 grams. (Source: Shinji Hirano collection)

G/H #227

I XXXII A 2

25.5x23mm, 3.4 grams. (Source: ACC)

G/H unpublished

I XXXIII A 3

Unpublished type with this 5th mark. Would have fit right between G/H 234 and G/H 235, with a number I XXXIII A 3.

3.40 grams. (Source: Shinji Hirano collection)

G/H 235

I XXXIII A 4

26x20.5mm, 3.5 grams. (Source: ACC)

Unpublished

I XXXIII A30

Unlisted type, very rare. If it was listed in Gupta/Hardaker, it would have been located between numbers 237 and 238.

The obverse features a large and strong banker's mark in a shape of a tourine symbol

3.3 grams. (Source: Shinji Hirano collection)

G/H #243

I XXXIV A 1

The illustrated coin has a lot of bankers' marks obscuring some of the details of the punch-marks on obverse. 25x21.5mm, 3.4 grams. (Source: ACC)

#2: 23x18mm, 3.54 grams(Source: ACC)

Overstruck

G/H #244/305

series I XXX A 2

overstruck with

Five various punchmarks (Gupta/Hardaker series III IV A 1, #305) / Five various punchmarks (Gupta/Hardaker series I XXX A 2, #244). Large silver planchet, a beautiful coin. 24x20mm, 3.04 grams.

This coin is a first series coin, the reverse of which was (at a later date) overstruck with the 5 symbols from the 3rd series. ALL overstruck 1st series coins are EXTREMLY rare. (Source: ACC)

G/H #245

I XXXIV A 4