2019-12-07 Sat

The Alupa is also known as Alva; it was the ruling dynasty in India during the ancient period. This dynasty reigned over the Karnataka from 4th CE to 15th CE; they were the feudatory of Western Chalukyas, Pallavas, Rastrakutas, Cholas, Hoysalas and finally, the Alupas also came under the Vijayanagar Empire.

The Alupas were one of the three dynasties that issued gold coins as early as 8th century CE. The gold which they used to mint their coins used to come from the trade with Roman, Arabs and the adjacent kingdom of Gangas. Comparing to the other dynasties that used to rule in the south in that period; the dynasty of Alupa and Gangas had issued a maximum variety of gold coins. Coins with Kannada legends seem to have minted in Mangalore and those with Nagari legend at the Udupi mint.

This gold pagoda which weighs around 3.59g was issued by Udayadityaraya or Gopisvararaya Pandya from Alupas of Udipi. The obverse of this coin depicts two stylized fish flanked by a conch shell and lamp. The reverse of this coin depicts Sri Pandya Dhananjaya in Nagari.

Image Courtesy: Todywalla Auction