2017-01-13 Fri

After the fall of Viajaynagar Empire, the Nayaks came into the power. The Nayaks ruled from the different branches of South India and one of them ruled from the Tanjavur(16th to 17th Century).

Raghunath Nayak was one of the most powerful rulers of Tanjavur Nayaks. He was a great patron of Art and Literature. He allowed the settling of the Danish in Tarangambadi which led to good trade contacts with them.

He issued few coins. Amongst them, there’s an eye-catching copper coin which has a depiction of seated Shiva (left) and Parvati (right), holding astras and other devices in their hands. The reverse bears a Nagari Legend ‘Raghu-Nath', the name of the issuer in two lines. The portrayal of Shiva with his consort shows the religious significance of it. The traces of Patina are seen on both the sides of the coin.

This coin has been sold for INR 5,750 at Classical Numismatics Gallery!