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Ancient coins => Indian subcontinent: Ancient & Pre-sultanate => Topic started by: pogh poor on January 30, 2020, 03:13:14 AM

Title: Interesting Maitrakas of Valabhi Drachma Ar 13.03 mm 2.31 g Beard?
Post by: pogh poor on January 30, 2020, 03:13:14 AM
I just purchased an interesting Ar coin.  It appears to be  Maitrakas of Valabhi drachma.  It measures  13.03 mm and weighs 2.31 g  The king appears to have a beard.  Is my attribution correct?  Pogh_poor
Title: Re: Interesting Maitrakas of Valabhi Drachma Ar 13.03 mm 2.31 g Beard?
Post by: Seeker55 on January 30, 2020, 04:19:51 AM
Yes, silver drachm of Maitrakas of Vallabhi. The writing matches King Bhattaraka, 470-492 AD, founder of the Maitrakas Dynasty.

Drachm - Bhattaraka (Maitrakas of Valabhi) - India (ancient) – Numista (https://en.numista.com/catalogue/pieces53964.html)
Title: Re: Interesting Maitrakas of Valabhi Drachma Ar 13.03 mm 2.31 g Beard?
Post by: THCoins on January 31, 2020, 11:01:09 AM
All of the coins of the Maitraka dynasty are in the name of Bhattaraka. Your type will be issued quite late in the period.
Traditionally, the portrait of the ruler did show a moustache. I don't think he was bearded.
Below an example of an earlier type:
Title: Re: Interesting Maitrakas of Valabhi Drachma Ar 13.03 mm 2.31 g Beard?
Post by: Finn235 on January 31, 2020, 09:22:54 PM
Agreed with THCoins - this looks to be toward the end of the series, which ostensibly lasted as long as 301 years. These late coins see the king's face a bit caricatured - the dot at the bottom of the coin is the upper lip, and the lower lip and chin are off flan.
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