Ancient India, Kosala Mahajanapada, 500 BC, Punch Mark Coin, Silver Karshapana, 3.17g, Sahet-Mahet Hoard
If this coin could speak, what a delightful story it would be of its journey from the mint, all across various districts, regions and other neighboring Janapadas, as evidenced by the numerous bankers marks that decorate every inch and millimeter of the flan.
Looks like this particular coin was very popular and favorite of various sarafs/ shroff’s as it passed through their hands. Each and every one of them caressed this beauty and left their mark for posterity.
Sometimes in the distant past, the coin got buried and lost to history, before it got a fresh lease of life upon excavation, changing hands before landing in my collection as a gift to myself this recent birthday!
Some of the bankers marks are quite beautiful and perhaps unpublished, especially those at 2,4,6,7,9 & 11 'o' clock. The plethora of bankers mark on the Rev has had the effect of nearly obliterating the Obv.
