The Early History of the Deccan (Parts I–XI) v2.c17.s2.t5: (1) Early Gold Coins
The Early History of the Deccan (Parts I–XI) v2.c17.s2.t5
- Language
- English
(1) Early Gold Coins
v2.c17.s2.t5.1
Smooth and minute spherules with tiny marks consisting of four dots on the obverse and none on the reverse appear to be among the earliest extant gold coins of the Deccan. Their weight is about 52 grains and their diameter about 0·45 in.; they are obviously of the Kalanju denomination, so popular in Southern India. These spherules were known as *gullige* or little balls in old Canarese and several of them were found in the Sunda Pargana of Dharwar district in 1828.¹ There are more than 25 of these in the Hyderabad Museum.² Two spherules are illustrated on Pl. LXV, 1 and 2.
v2.c17.s2.t5.2
¹ Elliot, *Coins of South India*, p. 53; pl. i, 2.
v2.c17.s2.t5.3
² ARHAD, 1925, p. 17.
v2.c17.s2.t5.4
A second early type is that of the *padma-ṭaṅkas*: they are flat and round. They have a lotus in the centre, which gives them their name, and four punched marks on the obverse; of these two are the letters *śri*, the third is a conch, and the fourth is usually a bow (Pl. LXV, 3).³ In one variety of this type we have scroll work stamped from a die on the reverse, and among the punches on the obverse there are two retrospectant lions (Pl. LXV, 19).¹ These coins, which are usually found in Banavasi, are generally attributed to the Kadambas, but the attribution is by no means certain. Their diameter is 1 in. and their weight about 60 grains.
v2.c17.s2.t5.5
³ Elliot, pl. i, 7–8.
v2.c17.s2.t5.6
¹ Elliot, pl. ii, 67.
v2.c17.s2.t5.7
The gold *fanams* having a Bull surmounted by the Sun and the Moon on the obverse and a large Sun on the reverse have been attributed to the early Pallavas, since they are found on the Coromandel coast.² This view is probable but not yet proved.
v2.c17.s2.t5.8
² Ibid., pl. i, 31-36.
v2.c17.s2.t5.9
Some tiny gold coins were found in the Maski excavations, with an Elephant on one side and a Lion on the other. Their attribution is difficult to determine, and the more so as they have not yet been adequately published.³
v2.c17.s2.t5.10
³ *ARHAD*, 1939, p. 18.
Linked texts (1)
- Nāradasmṛti — Nārada, Sanskrit