Indian Palaeography c13.s2.t1.1.3

c13.s2.t1.1.3

This was done only to maintain the continuity of the local currency, and proves the earlier date of the Negama coins, which must be placed in the earlier half of the second century B.C. The study of these coins makes it clear how poor was the local craftsmanship of letter-cutting for coins. It was the influence of Greek writing and Greek technicians that gave a new face to Indian Brāhmī. Similar poor workmanship is seen in the coins of Kāḍa, probably found in the Punjab. These coins, which are round as well as square, are cast. In two of the pieces¹ the letter *sa* of the legend is reversed and shown as [Figure:] instead of [Figure:]. These coins may also be assigned to the later half of the second century B.C. Similar lettering is found in the earliest issues of the Yaudheyas, who continued their coinage still later, and then stopped to begin again after the Kushāṇas. Farther down in South-east Malwa we have another series of inscribed coins from Eran, the ancient Airikiṇa, spelt in the coins as ‘Erakanya’. Three coins bearing this placename have been published, one by Rapson² and two by Cunningham.³ In Rapson’s coin the letters are written one below the other, while in Cunningham’s coins they are written on the top margin from left to right. A fourth coin inscribed with the legend *dhama-pālasa* (published by Allan) has been the subject of hot discussion. This coin also shows an animal (a horse?—not described by Allan) just as the other coins.