The 2nd series karshapanas very few in number, and are not
well-understood - out of all the seven Magadha/Maurya series this one is the
most enigmatic one. These coins are still large, though usually slightly smaller
than the 1st issue karshapanas. Only 25 types of these coins were published in
Gupta/Hardaker (though more types exist)- a much smaller issue than series I coins (of which close to 300
types are known). All coins of this type are rare to very rare, and are usually
more difficult to find than issue I coins.
These coins are usually regarded as a transitional issue between
issue I and issue III coins, and are usually dated to between ca.470 and 445 BC,
i.e. between the later part of the reign of Ajatashatru and the reign of his
successor Uddayina (461-445 BC). This attribution is somewhat tentative - it is
likely that the period in which these coins were struck was actually shorter.
What is so fascinating about them is that their reverses are virtually always
overstruck by series III (and some series IV) coins - examples that were not
overstruck survive in very small numbers, thus the rarity of these coins. Now,
chronologically, it means that the series II coins could not have followed
series I coins directly, since series I coins are never found overstruck - it
seems that series II coins circulated right after 470 BC in a relatively small
region of the Magadhan Empire, but since no hoards of series II coins was ever
discovered, this explanation is tentative and requires proof.
These coins often exhibit many bankers' marks, which are
sometimes so numerous they practically obliterate the punchmarks, making the
attribution of these coins difficult. Coins showing clear symbols and that are
not restruck by later issues are very rare. The retail price of these coins
is about the same as for 1st issue coins, or slightly higher, ranging in price
between 100 and 200$.
| Gupta and
Hadraker catalogue number |
Picture |
symbols |
Notes |
|
Overstruck G/H #265/305
series II I A 3 |
 |
overstruck with
 |
Five various punchmarks
(Gupta/Hardaker series III IV A 1, #305) overstruck on / Five various punchmarks
(Gupta/Hardaker
series II I A 3, #265). Large silver planchet, a beautiful coin. 23mm,
3.0 grams. (Source: ACC) |
|
Overstruck G/H #267/305
series II II A 2 |
 |
overstruck with
|
Five various punchmarks
(Gupta/Hardaker series III IV A 1, #305) overstruck on / Five various punchmarks
(Gupta/Hardaker
series II II A 2, #267). Extremely rare second issue coin! Large silver planchet, a beautiful coin. 22x19mm,
3.3 grams. (Source: ACC) |
|
Overstruck G/H #269/305
series II III B 3 |
 |
overstruck with
 |
Five various punchmarks
(Gupta/Hardaker series III IV A 1, #305) / Five various punchmarks
(Gupta/Hardaker
series II III B 3, #265). Large silver planchet, a beautiful coin. 28x17mm,
3.05 grams.(Source: ACC) |
G/H #270
series II IV A 2 |
 |
 |
21x19mm, 3.1 grams. Gupta and Hadraker II IV A
2 (#270).
Fasinating coin, found in a hoard of late Mauryan silver. Unlike most 2nd
issue coins, this one survived in circulation for well over 200 years
(that also explains the harsh wear on this coin) - the miniature
marks on reverse date to the times of Ashoka (272-232 BC) and later. The
coin was countermarked 200++ years after it was manufactured... This is
the only Magadhan karshapan I've encountered that was countermarked in the
late Mauryan period. Neat coin, of numismatic interest!. (Source: ACC) |
|
Unpublished
G/H #278/279 var.
series II VIII B 1 |
 |
 |
19x19mm, 3.4 grams. Unpublished with the
elephant as the fifth punch - if it was listed in Gupta/Hardaker, it would
have fit right between 278/279 and would have carried a type number II VIII
B 1. (Source: ACC) |
|
Unpublished
G/H #278/279 var.
series II VIII B 1 |
 |
 |
25x20mm, 3.6 grams. This coin is unpublished in
Gupta/Hardaker or Rajgor, but (if it was published there) it would fit very
snugly into series II VIII B - it would have number II VIII B 1, catalogue
number between 278 and 279. (Source: ACC) |
| G/H #279
series
II VIII B 2 |
 |
 |
One of the less rare series II types 23x18mm, 3.5 grams. (Source:
ACC)
More examples:
 |
25x14mm, 3.6 grams. (Source: ACC) |
|
|
Overstruck G/H #280/306
series II IX A 1 |
 |
overstruck with
|
Five various punchmarks
(Gupta/Hardaker series III IV A 2, #306) / Five various punchmarks (Gupta/Hardaker
series II IX A 1, #280). Large silver planchet, a beautiful coin. 20x19mm,
3.2 grams.(Source: ACC) |
| G/H #281 series
II IX A 2 |
 |
 |
Extremely rare type. 24x20mm, 3.4 grams. (Source:
ACC) |
|
Overstruck G/H #282/319
series II IX A 3 |
 |
overstruck with
 |
Five various punchmarks
(Gupta/Hardaker series III X A 1, #319) / Five various punchmarks (Gupta/Hardaker
series II X A 1, #282). Large silver planchet, a beautiful coin. 20x17mm,
3.2 grams.
This coin is a second series coin, the reverse of which was (at a later
date) overstruck with the 5 symbols from the 3rd series. Both sides are
attributable and clear, which is unusual for these. (Source: ACC) |
|
Overstruck G/H
#283/353
series II X A 1 |
 |
overstruck with
 |
Five various punchmarks
(Gupta/Hardaker series IV VII A 4, #353) / Five various punchmarks (Gupta/Hardaker
series II X A 1, #282). Large silver planchet, a beautiful coin.
25x19mm, 3.14 grams.
This coin is a second series coin, the reverse of which was (at a later
date) overstruck with the 5 symbols from the 4th series. Such coins are
extremely rare. (Source: ACC) |
|
Overstruck G/H #285/291
series II XII A 1 |
 |
overstruck with
 |
Five various punchmarks
(Gupta/Hardaker series II XII A 1, #285) / Five various punchmarks (Gupta/Hardaker
series III I A 1, #291). Large silver planchet, a beautiful coin. 20x21mm,
3.1 grams. (Source: ACC) |
|
Overstruck G/H #285/302
series II XII A 1 |
 |
overstruck with
 |
Five various punchmarks
(Gupta/Hardaker series III III A 1, #302) / Five various punchmarks (Gupta/Hardaker
series II XII A 1, #285). Large silver planchet, a beautiful coin. 21x15mm,
3.2 grams.
This coin is a second series coin, the reverse of which was (at a later
date) overstruck with the 5 symbols from the 3rd series. Both sides are
attributable and clear, which is unusual for these. (Source: ACC) |
|
Overstruck G/H #285/306
series II XII A 1 |
 |
overstruck with
|
Five various punchmarks
(Gupta/Hardaker series III IV A 2, #306) / Five various punchmarks (Gupta/Hardaker
series II XII A 1, #285). 20x19mm, 3.1 grams.
This coin is a second series coin, the reverse of which was (at a later
date) overstruck with the 5 symbols from the 3rd series. Both sides are
attributable and clear, which is unusual for these. (Source: ACC) |
| G/H #286
series II XIII A 2 |
 |
 |
One of the less rare series II types 21x17mm, 3.3 grams. (Source:
ACC)
More examples:
 |
21x19mm, 3.4 grams. (Source: ACC) |
|
|
Unpublished
G/H #287/288
series II XIVb A 1 |
Example 1
Example 2 |
 |
The second symbol is only
partially seen. These coins are unpublished in Gupta/Hardaker or Rajgor,
and are extremely rare. If it was published in the Gupta/Hardaker catalogue, it would fit very snugly right
between series II XIII/XIV.
The symbol #3 (see symbols to the left) is a new
one, related to symbols #309 and #310. Because symbol #2 is unlisted as
well, this coin would probably deserve a new series of its' own. The 4th
symbol is unknown and/or misdescribed in Gupta/Hardaker (see: corrections
Gupta/Hardaker, main page)
Example 1: 21x16.5mm, 3.5 grams. (Source: ACC)
Example 2: 22x16.5mm, 3.6 grams. (Source: ACC) |
| G/H #289
series II XV A 2 |
 |
 |
One of the less rare series II types 23x20mm, 3.25 grams. (Source:
ACC)
More examples:
 |
25x17mm, 3.4 grams. (Source: ACC) |
|
|
Overstruck G/H #289/unpublished
series II XV A 2 |
 |
overstruck with
 |
Five various punchmarks
(Gupta/Hardaker series III IX A 4, unpublished in Gupta/Hardaker) / Five various punchmarks (Gupta/Hardaker
series II XV A 2, #289). 20mm, 3.4
grams. (Source: ACC) |
|
Overstruck G/H #289/313
series II XV A 2 |
 |
overstruck with
 |
Five various punchmarks
(Gupta/Hardaker series III V A 81, #313) / Five various punchmarks (Gupta/Hardaker
series II XV A 2, #289). Large silver planchet, a beautiful coin. 20mm, 3.3
grams. (Source: ACC) |
|
Overstruck G/H #290/305
series II XV A 3 |
 |
overstruck with
|
Five various punchmarks
(Gupta/Hardaker series III IV A 1, #305) / Five various punchmarks (Gupta/Hardaker
series II XV A 3, #290). Large silver planchet, a beautiful coin. 22x21mm,
3.1 grams. (Source: ACC) |
