Panchala Janapada: Silver Karshapana, Lotapur Hoard, Raj 1166...flower-scorpion!

[mitresh]

Panchala Janapada, Punch Mark Coin (PMC), Silver Karshapana, 2.1g, Lotapur hoard, Rajgor 1166

Obv: 8-petal flower (lotus?) with a dot within central circle; associated punches obliterated

Rev: A beautiful scorpion, star/flower and other circular banker marks


Lotapur is situated at Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh. Coins from the hoard are stored at Lucknow Museum.

[Figleaf]

Wouldn't it be delicious if the inhabitants of Lotapur would use a lotus as a symbol? But they would probably not have spoken English, so was there such a close connection in the language they did speak? And wouldn't the symbolism have referred to the ruling family, rather than to the town? Or did the connection involve Laxmi, who's favourite seat is a lotus and who could be the ruling family's top spot deity?

Whatever the case, we have another good fun coin to behold.

Peter