Maurya Silver Karshapana
India
322–185
Reference data compiled from public catalogs
Specifications
| Country | India |
| Years Minted | 322–185 |
| Composition | Silver |
| Shape | Square |
Design
Obverse
The obverse features various punch marks including symbols such as the sun, trees, or animals representing authority.
Reverse
The reverse is typically blank or bears additional punch marks.
History & Notable Facts
The Maurya Silver Karshapana was punched with up to five symbols on a single silver blank, making each coin a miniature archive of imperial authority.
These coins circulated during the Mauryan Empire, from around 322 to 185 BCE, as the standard for trade across vast territories. Struck on uneven silver planchets, often weighing about 3.5 grams, they reflected the era's rudimentary minting techniques. No two looked identical, thanks to the hand-applied marks—animals, geometric shapes, or royal emblems. We've uncovered hoards in archaeological digs, but precise production numbers remain unknown, buried under centuries of soil and speculation.
It's no surprise collectors chase these; the variation alone keeps things interesting. As for myths, let's just say I've seen enough "cursed coin" stories to last a lifetime.
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