2021-03-02 Tue

The word Ashmaka is derived from the Sanskrit word ‘Ashma’, which means stone or gem. Ashmaka was one of the 16 Mahajanapadas of ancient India that existed from 700 BC to 343 BC. Ashmaka is one of the regions of ancient India and also finds a mention in Panini’s Ashtadhyayi. The reference of Ashmaka Janapada is also found in the Buddhist text Anguttara Nikaya. During the ancient period Ashmaka Janapada is located around the Godavari River; today’s Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Maharashtra. In Vayu Purana, there is a mention of Ashmaka as scions of the Ikshvaku family. In Mahabharata, there is a mention of royal sage Ashmaka, who found the city of Podana. The featured coin depicts the silver Punch Marked Coin which is attributed to Ashmaka Janapada.

This silver half karshapana was issued from Ashmaka Jahanapa during the ancient period. The weight of this silver half karshapana is around 1.5g. The obverse of this coin depicts an elephant, tree, and two punches of symbol made up of four fishes.

Image Courtesy: Todywalla Auction