Indian Palaeography c13.s2.t1.1.2

c13.s2.t1.1.2

Even if this assumption is not accepted we have to take into account all the coins illustrated by Rapson. The plate includes six of the debased silver coins of the rectangular variety which are also countermarked in the same fashion. The date of countermarking must be later than the time when these issues were current, as this practice is limited to a few coins and not to be seen at any later time. This fact makes the date considerably later than that given by Rapson. If we look to the palaeography, if it can be relied upon at all, the letter-forms are highly suggestive. We find here two forms of *ya*, the crescentic, in which the verticals are equalized, as 𑀬, and the double-curved, in which the medial *o* is one horizontal line, as 𑀬𑁄 (*yo*); while *pa* has its short vertical drawn at an angle, *va* and *kha* still retain the round forms; but *ga* has the rounded form of the later time. These letter-forms agree with those occurring in the coins of Agathocles and Pantaleon. Hence there cannot be much difference in time between the countermarking and these Indo-Greek issues. In these cases fine workmanship is a clear contrast to the poor lettering on the Negama coins of Taxila. But the Negama coins are not a later degeneration of the Greek issues, because the Greek coins imitate not only the square shape but also the incuse-stamping of the local issues.