GOD OF KINGS: September 2011

Saturday, September 3, 2011

Other Countries - Rare Bank Notes

Ceylon (Sri Lanka) 10 Cents 1942

Ceylon (Sri Lanka) 25 Cents 1942

Ceylon (Sri Lanka) 2 Rupees 1939

Ceylon (Sri Lanka) 2 Rupees 1954

Ceylon (Sri Lanka) 5 Rupees 1944

Ceylon (Sri Lanka) 100 Rupees 1945

One Dollor Straits Settlements - 1936

One Malayan Dollar 1941

One Rupee Mauritius

Indo - Greek Coins

After death of Alexander in 323 BC, his generals, known as diadochi  started fighting for his massive empire. Seleukos Nictator, a friend  and general of Alexander proclaimed himself King of Persia,Bactria  (afghanistan) and Syria. He founded a dynasty named after him, widely  known as Seleukid dynasty. He had his capital at Babylon and  invaded India (modern Punjab, located in northern India and Pakistan) in  304 BC, which was then Muaryan empire ruled by Chandragupta Maurya.

The  portraits on all Indo-greeks coins are very realistic which express  powerful features and minute personal details very clearly. This  indicate that all the engravers were from same school of art and  obviously very well familiar with Hellinstic art. Indian coinage is  greatly enfluenced by coinage of Indo-Greeks. The policy of rulers to  show their subject their true appearance was totally unknown in Indian  subcontinent. The first Indian King who issued coins bearing his  portrait was Saubhuti (Sophytes or Sopeithes according to Greek  historians). He ruled in Bactria or Panjab in 315-305 BC and minted  Greek styled coins . His silver coins were greatly enfluenced by his  contemporary Bactrian Greek ruler Seleucus Nictator. He is the first  Indian ruler whose name and portrait appears on a coin. The reverse  shows cock standing right.

In  281 BC Seleukos was assasinated but the kings who followed him  maintained friendly relationship with mighty Mauryan emperors for some  time . Seleucid empire disintegrated soon after assasination of Seleukos  into Parthia (Arsaces as King), Syria (Antiochus I as king) and Bactria  (Diodotus as king). 

Friday, September 2, 2011

South India - Gold Coins

GANGAS (Elephant)

This Coin was minted during the reign of Western Gangas (5th -10th cent A.D) of Talakadu Area of Karnataka. “Bhuja in kannada” is written on the reverse.

ALUPAS (Fish)

This Coin was minted during the reign of Alupas (4th -14th century A.D) around Barakuru, Mangaluru, Udayavara and Moodbidri

KALACHURIS (Garuda)

This Coin was minted during the reign of Kalachuri's (10-12th century A.D)

RASTRAKUTAS (Lion)

Rastrakutas (6th -10th century A.D). Coin of King Bhimadeva, 10th century A.D. Bird below the lions palm and inscription of “gandara gova” on back side.

BADAMI CHALUKYAS –Varcha (Wild Bore)

BADAMI CHALUKYAS –Varcha (Wild Bore)

Coin of Badami Chalukyas(5-8th century A.D).

GOLD COINS OF VIJAYNAGAR KINGDOM (1336-1646 A.D)

The Gold Pagoda was the standard unit of coin issued by the Vijayanagara Empire. It was called as Pagoda in English or Varaha of 3.4 gr. The Varaha was also called the Hon, Gadyana or a Pon and came in the Ghattivaraha, Doddavaraha and Suddhavaraha coin. In the gold issue the different coins came in Varaha, this is used as a reference for the other coins values.

1 Gold Varaha = 2 Pratapas = 4 Katis = 8 Chinna = 4 Haga = 2 Bele. 1 Pana or Varana equaled 16 tara silver coin, with the 1 Tara to 3 copper Jital. The copper Duggani was equal to 2 copper kani or kakin, 5 Kasu and 10 Ara Kasu. There were also other units of silver and copper based on their relationship with the Pagoda.