2016-08-10 Wed

A beautiful silver drachm issued by the Republic of Vrishni People between 10 and 40 CE was auctioned off by Classical Numismatic Gallery at the Coin and Currency Fair that was held between August 5th and 7th at Ahmedabad.

The obverse of this rare silver coin bears a standard topped by a nandipada finial with an elephant’s head and the forepart of a leaping lion below it in an ornamental railing. The Brahmi legend reads “(Vr)shni Rajana Ganasya Tratarasya”. The reverse bears an ornate 14-spoked wheel with a scalloped outer rim along with the legend in Kharoshthi which reads “Vrshni Rajana Ganasa (Trata)...” The coin is of a Very Fine grade and is Exceedingly Rare.

While Classical Numismatic Gallery estimated the price between Rs. 1 Lakh and Rs. 1.5 Lakh, the final price realised in the auction was a jaw-dropping Rs. 27 Lakhs!