2017-08-04 Fri

Kalachuri is a dynasty which is divided into different branches of the Kalachuri of Mahismati to the Kalachuri of Kalyani. This dynasty has given Indian history some glorifying rulers and their coinage: a new perception in the studies of Indian numismatics.

One such coinage was of Gangeya Deva the Kalachuri ruler of Dahala (capital Tripuri). He issued coins in his own name bearing the figure of a seated goddess on the obverse side. This type of coins had a striking similarity to the obverse design of the later Gupta and Gauda coins.

One of the fascinating segments to notice in the period between 750 to 1000 CE was that no indigenous gold coin was minted in north India. The cold coinage of Gupta minted sufficient gold currency to satisfy the need of gold centuries for coming centuries.

Later on, the gold coin was minted one of the examples of this is the above shown 4 ½ Masha, which was minted in the region of Gangeya deva. The obverse of this coin depicts a Gajalakshmi, the 'Abhiseka' or anointing of goddess Lakshmi by elephant attendants.The reverse of this coin depicts a legend in Nagari which read "Srimad Gangeya Deva ".

This Lakshmi type coin's weight is around 4 ½ Masha which is equivalent to 4.13 grams with the coefficient variance of 2.6%.

To know more about the Kalchuris of Mahismati and Gajasardula coins.