INTRODUCTION

With time, Numismatics has contributed immensely to the discoveries of various

excavations and sites, that helped us to come in contact with such dynasties that hold
no historical evidences apart from Coins.

Ancient dynasties including Indo-Greeks (180 BC-10BCE), Yaudheyas (200

BCE-400CE), Mitras (150BCE-50 CE) , Dattas ( 100BCE-200CE) , Arjunayans
(200BCE-100CE), Trigartas (100BCE-300CE), Mudras (200BCE-100CE), Sibis
(100BCE-300CE), and others [ the dates may differ.] sees no archaeological sources apart
from Coinage.

Coins play significant role in defining the stature of the kingdom from where the
coins were issued. It’s main contribution includes the kingdom’s Economy, Political
Entities, Usage , Geographical Extent and information, Artistic and Aesthetic Value,
Social Structure, the Language and Script used and Religion followed [ sometimes].

Excavations in various sites have unearthed various Archaeological Sources

where Coins play an important role and have provided invaluable insights into the
past, revealing :

1. Chronology : Coins establish timelines that help us know about the age of
when the dynasties exactly existed and what was the era they followed.
2. Trade Networks : Coins distribution reveals extensive trade routes, connecting
ancient civilizations and areas.
3. Cultural Exchange : Coin showcase artistic and linguistic influences ,
demonstrating cultural fusion. For example: Indo Scythians coins having
Kharoṣṭhī and Brāhmī script in it.
4. Imperial expansion: Coins confirm imperial expansions and territorial
boundaries.
5. Historical events : Coins commemorate significant events , battles and rulers
of an entire generations. Example : showcasing of Ashwamedha Yajna in
Samudragupta’s coin indicating his zeal for extent of his empire.

These finding collectively enriches our understanding of ancient societies,

economies and cultures , illuminating history’s complexities and it’s vividness
over time and space.
 STUDY – AREA

My study area is DEVNIMORI* ( 73° -26’ and 23° -39’ ) , picturesquely

situated at a distance of about two kilometers to the south of Shamalaji*, a pilgrim
centre, in the Bhiloda* Taluka of the Sabarkantha* District of Gujarat State. It lies at
a distance of about 120 kilometers to the east of Ahmedabad or about 210 kilometers
to the north-east of Baroda. This is the north eastern part of Gujarat lying on the
border of Dungarpur area of Rajasthan.

Topographically, The whole area is a hilly track with more or less parallel ridges
( fig . a ) and valleys of the Aravalli ranges. Devnimori is situated in this area, in
one the narrow semi-rectangular valleys about 16 kilometers long and 2 kilometers
broad. It is surrounded on the east, west and south by low hills( about 200 Meters
high) which rises to the height of about 900’ to 1100’abov the sea level , whereas
the valley rise to a height of about 600’ above the sea level*.

I’ll specifically deal with COINS found in excavation at this site.

 Geographical-
background

It was an area of summer deciduous forest having the Saga , Timaru , Babul, Khera,
Sadad, Mahudo , Tamarind and other trees. It abounds in wild life such as chitta,
hyena ,deer ,snakes ,pythons and other animals and birds.

The area is occupied by unnucleated settlements of Bhils presently . The smaller

nuclii are being formed, as small initial settlements are expanding under the impact
of modern civilization. The inhabitants are mostly agriculturists. In their spare time
they take to hunting and collection of forest products.

The valley has a number of archaeological remains, which lie on the left bank of the
Meshvo and are distributed in an area of about 4 square kilometers. Some of them
are clearly seen as distinct topographical features, whereas others form small
eminences.

The valley has pleasant climate with rainfall of about 30” in the monsoon. The
winter is cool. In summer intense heat is somewhat relieved by its height and
vegetation. During the day hot winds carry much sand from the dry bed of the river
and deposit it on the bank. The nights are cool.

The land around the mound was more undulating. A few low mounds were seen in
the area. The largest of these mounds was lying to the south of Bhoja-Raja-No-
Tekro ( Fig: ). It was a semi-rectangular mound with large trees and scrub for
growing on and around it. This mound was exploited by the local gentry for
removing bricks from it. This rectangular mound had a depression in the centre. It
was also an archaeological site as could be judged by the remains of the bricks and
some pottery. The area to the east of these mounds was also undulating . Signs of
brick walls were clearly observed on the road. In the adjacent fields there were small
mounds from which bricks were obtained but from one of these mounds a schist
image of Jambhala was obtained.
 FINDINGS

Findings includes Pottery, Coins , Inscription and the chronology the site
can be identified through stratigraphy along with the records mentioned
above.
The coins discovered from this site point out the majority of them belong
to the Kshatrapa period. The other varieties are the so-called Valabhi , and
the Indo- Sassanian coins. The Gupta coins are absent . The coins confirm
the pottery evidence , and further suggest that the beginning of the
occupation at this site might be dated the the period of the Kshatrapas, that
is from about the SECOND TO FOURTH CENTURY A.D.
This other evidence is corroborated by the casket inscription and
stratigraphy of the Mahastupa ( from where the coins were retrieved after
excavations).
From this stupa an inscribed relic casket was obtained. One of its
inscriptions clearly mentions that this Mahastupa was built in the year 127
of the reckoning of the Kathika rulers , during the reign of RUDRASENA.
( Unfortunately , this era is not known from previous records , so its calculation
raises a number of problems . Four Kshatrapa rulers had the name Rudrasena which
further complicate the issue).

Coins
 In all the sixty – nine coins discovered from this site, out of which fifty
nine are made of silver, four of silver coated copper , two of copper and
four of lead.

Most of these coins belong to the Kshatrapa dynasty of Ujjain (59)

(Circa A.D. 100 to Circa A.D. 400 ); Three to the Maitrakas of Valabhi
( A.D. 480 to A.D. 766) , two Indo-Sassanian coins ( earlier type). The
rest are much worn out.
Sixty –four coins were found in situ from various stratigraphic positions,
five were found from surface. Out of the fifty-nine Kshatrapa coins , Thirty-
nine coins were discovered in a tiny red pot buried in the yellow silt filling
assigned to Phase II of the site. This hoard was found just near the entrance
of cell No. 1 of the Vihara . One of the Maitraka coins was found in the
mud – mortar of the final phase of the repairs of the moulding on Platform
II.
But the most interesting discovery is that of eight Kshatrapa coins. These
coins were found placed in a globular well preserved pot having wide
mouth, externally rounded rim and a broad white band on its red globular
body. This pot was found deposited in the core itself in the centre of the top
of Platform I.
From this it will be evident that coins from this excavation were
distributed in various strata of phase II and phase III.
 KSHATRAPA COINS

The Kshatrapa coins are minted in silver alloy. They are roundish in shape
and weigh 2.82 gms to 1.2 gms. Their thickness is also not uniform.
While striking edges of some of them have been damaged and hence the
round edge is split into cuts and cracks. All these coins were found in
tarnished condition and were covered with a thin coat of corrosion.
All these coins are partly worn out or badly struck, hence, legends of only
thirty-two could be deciphered. Legends of seven coins were deciphered
completely. No doubt, the legends on the remaining coins were partly
deciphered but their assignment to various kings was done by the help of
genealogical table and titles. Many of these coins are marked with punch-
marks of dots and stars, crescents ,etc., probably, at a later stage. These
marks were probably struck by the ‘Sharafs’ or bankers of that period.

SYMBOL
The main symbol on these coins is the typical ‘Chaitya’ symbol
composed of three arches marked by lines in relief. At the base of this
Chaitya symbol are three horizontal wavy lines which are marked in
relief. The marks of crescent and a group of dots are placed just above the
chaitya. The crescent is marked at left, while the group of dots at right.
The crescent represents the ‘Chandra’ ( moon ), while the dots in a circle
formation represent the ‘Divakara’ (the Sun ). These two symbols are
marked to convey that the dynasty would last for a long time
‘YAVATCHANDRADIVAKARAU’.
LETTERS

The letters of the legends are typical Brāhmī letters of early centuries of
Christian Era. They have the typical ‘Sirorekha’ and peculiar loops and
curves found on hundred of Kshatrapa coins collected from Western
India.

DESCRIPTION

The busts of the kings in profile are facing right. All of them have long
pointed nose and prominent curved chin. The eyes are also depicted
clearly. The bow-shaped eye-brows and eyes are typical. In some
specimens, the pupil of eye is also depicted. Most of the portraits have
drooping moustaches with hook-like curves at the end. The forehead is
slightly sloping. The peak-cap is drawn upto forehead in such a way that
long wavy hair are sticking out from it just above the ear and dangle upto
shoulder. The hair are curly at the end. In some coins the collar of the
robe is also visible. It is decorated with a band of zigzag lines in relief.

As most of the coins are not struck accurately the legends and the portraits
are not in so prominent. But in-spite of this drawback the flat outlines of
various features are clearly visible and could be indentified easily.
The legends are written in Brāhmī characters along the border of the coin
in clock-wise direction. It is bordered by a circle of dotted line. Due to
bad punching most of the numerical symbols, by the side of the busts are
either not embossed at all or in some cases only half symbols are printed.
Of these the numerical symbols on only four coins could be deciphered
completely that of Rudrasena II ( Saka 188 A.D. 266) and Vishvasena
( Saka 215-216-225 i.e. A.D. 293, 294, 303).

The details of the coins are given below:

Mahakshatrapa Rudrasena I -Saka (125-142—A D 203-220 )
1|. Silver, roundish, weight 1,692 gms
Obverse: Bust of the king facing right.
Reverse: Chaitya with three arches, horizontal line with curved ends at the
base of the Chaitya.
Two crescents . Dots
Legend—Rajno Mohakshatrapasa Rudrasimhasa Putrasa Rajno
Mahakshatrapa—senasa.
The bust of the king is worn out but still its shape is visible. Only some
details of hair are. intact, The eye. nose, lips and chin are blurred, Two
loops of some numerical symbols are visible but they cannot be
deciphered. The legend on the reverse is printed in thin letters in relief.
Half of the legend is blurred due to wear but the remaining letters are still
legible. The two crescents and the dots are also clear. But the most
noteworthy feature of the symbols is a horizontal line curved at two ends.
This line is inscribed at the base of the Chaitya symbol in the place of the
usual wavy lines.
2 Mahakshatrapa Rudrasena II —SAKA 181-192—A.D. 258-270.
Silver, roundish, weight 1.69 gms.
Obverse: Bust of the king facing right.
Reverse: Chaitya with three arches. Crescent, dots.

Legend: —ra-maputra—-Rajno Mahakshatrapasa Rudra——

The bust of the king is marked with punch marks of dots and a pair of
triangles. Date symbols are not Inscribed as the die is struck a bit to the
left. Details of hair eye, moustaches and the collar of the robe are visible.
The portrait of the king resembles Rapson’s No. 582 ( B.M.C.Pl.XV)
As it is a badly struck coin nearly half of the legend is not inscribed at all.
3. Rudrasena
Alloy of silver and lead.
Roundish; weight 1,89 gms,
Obverse: Bust of the king facing right
Reverse: Chaitya with three arches—crescent, dots:
Legend: Rajna-hakshatrapasa—( Ru) ( dra ) senasa
As the bust of the king is not struck accurately, nearly half of the head has
come out, hence there are no numerical symbols of date. Nearly half of
the legend is worn out. The horizontal Wavy line at the base of the
Chaitya is almost straight. Only lower half of the loops of ‘ RU’ and
“DRA * are visible to complete the name * Rudrasena”. ‘SE’ and * NA”
and * SA‘ are very clear.

4, Silver, roundish, weight 1.6 gms.

Obverse: Worn out bust of king facing right
Reverse: Three arched Chaitya, crescent, dots. .
Legend : — Drasenasa—_.
The bust is struck a bit upward so no head dress is visible. Very faint
traces of date symbols are there, But they cannot be deciphered. The
chaitya crescent, dots, and legend are worn out but still some part of it is
atleast legible.

5. Silver, roundish, 1.711 gms.

Obverse: Bust of the king.
Reverse: Crescent, Chaitya and dots. The base line of Chaitya is almost
straight.
Legend: Rajnah kshatrapasa Viradamaputra—( na ) sa.
The lower portion of Face, —chin etc, are not struck at all. The remaining
portions of the coin are-absolutely flat without any trace of numerical
symbols of ‘other letters. On the reverse too, more than half of the coin is
worn out. Faint traces of * Rajnah kshtra—" are visible. Other letters *
pasa Virada* are clear while near * ma * the coin is cracked again faint
traces of’ putrasa ‘are visible. Rest of the legend is completely worn out.

6. Silver, roundish, 1.581 gms.

Obverse: Bust of the king facing right with punch mark of a crescent
on the head. Date symbols of 100,80 and 8.
Reverse: Chaitya, faint traces of crescent and dots.
Legend: Rajnah Kshatrapasa Viradamaputrasa Ragna Mahakshatra—
The portrait is not engraved perfectly. The numerical symbols though
worn out at the top are legible, hence , the symbols of 100,80 and 8 can be
deciphered clearly. The legend is worn out near the edges but still faint
traces of Rajna Kshatrapasa Viradamaputrasa and clear letters of Rajna
Mahakshatra are legible.
The most noteworthy point is the horizontal wavy line at the base of the
Chaitya which looks like a series of loops due to sharp curves.

7.Silver, round, weight 1.81 gms.

Obverse: Bust of the king facing right and numerical symbols at the back
of the head.
Reverse: Chaitya. crescent, dots.
Legend: Rajna Ksha—Rudrasenasa.

A worn out specimen with bust facing right. The numerical signs at the
back of the head are worn out near the edge so that only symbol of 80 is
identical while lower loops of the digit numbers are visible. It is most
probably 188. But the face is quite different from the preceding numbers
593 of B.M.C. The crescent is surmounting the chaitya. Dots are very
faint. The legend is worn out, still some of the letters can be deciphered.

Kshatrapa Bhartrudaman ( Saka 199 or 200 to 217—A.D 277-8 to 295)

8. Silver, roundish, weight 2.164 gms.
Obverse: Bust of the king facing right—no trace of date symbols. Only
half of the legend is struck due to inaccurate stricking.

9. Silver, roundish, weight 1.23 gms.

Obverse: Bust of the king facing right. Punchmark of crescent and dots.
Symbol of 10 partly legible.
Reverse: Chaitya, crescent and dots. Only a part of the legend.
Legend :——Mahakshatrapasa—Rudrasena putra—.
The bust is punched with five symbols of dots and crescent. The
numerical symbols are struck probably only part of 10 is visible. The
metal seems to be an alloy of silver and lead.

10. Silver, roundish, weight 1.7 gms.

Obverse: Bust facing right with punch marks of dots and crescent,
Reverse: Symbol of chaitya worn out. Part of legend is also partly worn
out.
Legend: Rajno Mahakshatrapasa Rudrasenaputrasa—
The bust is blurred. Very faint traces of numerical signs exist. The legend
is badly struck so only some part of it can be deciphered.

11. Silver, roundish, weight 1.88 gms.

Obverse: Bust facing right.
Reverse: Worn out legend, chaitya other symbols worn out.
Legend :—— Drasenaputra—
Though only * Drasenaputra * can be deciphered, the bust of the coin on
obverse is exactly similar to other Bhartrudaman's coins, hence, it is
assigned to Bhartrudaman.

12. Silver, roundish, weight 1.39 gms.

Obverse: Upper part of the bust of the king.
‘Reverse: Half worn legend, chaitya, dots, crescent worn out.
Legend: Rajno Mahakshatrapasa Rudrasa—pu—
Due to bad striking only upper half of the bust is inscribed. But there is
no trace of numerical number. Though the legend is worn out half of it
can be deciphered clearly.

13. Lead, roundish, weight .2 gms

Obverse: Very highly worn out bust. Very faint traces of some letters
above the head.
Reverse: Highly worn out. No symbols visible. Only faint traces of
legend.
Legend: Rajna Mahakshatrapa—trudaman—
The worn out letter above the bust seems to be some Greek-letter.

14. Silver, roundish, weight 1.75 gms.

Obverse: Bust of the king facing right with marks of letter.
Reverse: Chaitva, crescent, dots.
Legend —Rudrasenaputrasa—gno Mahakshatrapa—
This is an important coin as it is depicting Bhartrudaman as a
Mahakshatrapa. All other coins of Bhartrudaman from this excavation are
having * Kshatrapa’ title. But unfortunately no numerical signs are
visible. Only some part of the legend is clear. The symbols are clearly
visible.

15. Silver, roundish, weight 1.745 gms.

Due to inaccuracy of striking the most of the fore part of face is not
printed at all, hence, only part of nose, eye, earlobe, some hair and collar
are visible. The numerical symbols near the back of head are not
completely pointed so they also cannot be deciphered. The Legend and
the symbols at the reverse are inscribed in broad flat lines in low relief.
The upper parts of the letters are cut off still almost whole legend could
be deciphered. The crescent and the dots are clear.. The wavy line at the
base of the chaitya symbol is very roughly marked.

16. Silver, roundish, weight 1.767gms.

Obverse: Bust of the king facing right.
Reverse: Details of symbols worn out.
Legend: —pasa Rudrasenaputrasa Ra—

This is a much worn out coin. The bust in low relief is also worn out. But
still the outlines of various features are visible. The tip of nose and chin
are not struck at all as the die is struck inaccurately. Faint details of eye,
earlobes and hair are visible.Some outline of cap is also visible. Due to
inaccuracy of minting only ten letters are inscribed on the coins. Other
letter are completely missing. No traces of chaitya symbol or any other
symbols are visible.

17. Silver, roundish, weight 1,760 gms.

Obverse: Bust of the king facing right.
Reverse: Crescent, dots, chaitya.
Legend: Rajnah Kshatra—Rudrasenaputrasa—
A worn out coin. The lower portion of bust is worn out. The punchmark
of crescent, and dots are clearly visible. Details of eye, hair and ear are
visible. Tip of nose, chin and cheek are worn out. Almost half of the
legend is blurred but the remaining letters in low relief are visible. The
crescent, the dots and chaitya symbol with a single wavy line at its base
are also visible.

Kshatrapa Vishvasena—Son of Bhartrudaman ( Saka 216-217-227 A.D.

294-5-305).
18. Silver, roundish, weight 1.69gms
Obverse: Bust of the king marked with punch marks of crescent, dots, part
of numerical symbols.
Reverse: Chaitya, double crescent dots
Legend: Rajno Kshatrapasa Vishvasenasa—
The bust is inscribed in high relief but the details are worn out. Part of
collar design and the curls of hair are visible. Two of the numerical signs
can be deciphered—200 and 20. The unit sign is completely worn out.
Most of the legend is fairly clear, But the worth noting feature of this coin
is the double crescent one at the left of the chaitya and the other
surmounting it.

19. Silver, roundish, weight 1.34 gms.

Obverse: Bust of the king facing right, punch marks of circle, crescent
and dot, numerical signs.
Reverse: Legend, chaitya, double crescent, dots
Legend: Rajno Mahakshatrapasa------svasenasa-------
The bust though in high relief is worn out. No details of eye and
moustaches could be seen. The lips, hair and collar of the robe are clearly
visible. The numerical signs of 200 and 10 are clear, The upper half of the
unit sign is worn out, only the lower loop curved to the left is visible so it
is either five or six. The chaitya double crescents and dots are clearly
visible.

20. Roundish, Silver, weight 1.85 gms.

Obverse: Bust of the king facing right, a punch mark of small circle,
numerical signs, small circle, Greek letters.
Reverse: Chaitya, crescent and dots worn out.
Legend: Rajna Ma-ksha-kshatrapasa-Vishvasenasa—
The bust though in high relief is devoid of details, the numerical signs of
200, and 0 are almost identical while the unit number is partly worn and is
like that of the coin no. 15. It is either five or six. Four letters of the Greek
legend are clear, The symbols on the reverse are worn out except the
horizontal wavy line at the base of the chaitya. Part of legend is fairly
clear. Particularly the vowel sign of ‘I* in * Vi" ls noteworthy.

21. Silver, circular, weight 2.82 gms.

Obverse: Bust of the king facing right, numerical signs
Reverse: Chaitya, double crescent and dots.
Legend: Rajno Mahakshatrapasa Bhartru—Rajna Kshatrapasa
Vishvasenasa.
The bust is in high relief but devoid of details. Only the hair and
decorated robe-collar are visible. The numerical signs of 200,10 and 5 are
visible. Chaitya crescent and dots are also clear.

22. Silver, circular, weight 2.4 gms.

Obverse: Bust of the king, part of numerical signs,
Reverse; Chaitya symbol and dots worn out, double crescent is visible.
Legend: Rajno Mahakshatrapasa—trudamaputrasa Ragno Kshatra—
Vashvasanasa—
To bust is in high relief but devoid of details except hair and robe-collar,
Numerical signs of 200, 20 are partially visible. The legend is fairly clear,
the symbols are worn out.
23. Silver, circular, weight 1.69 gms.
Obverse: Blurred bust, no numerical signs.
Reverse: Chaitya, crescent and legend.
Legend: Rajna Mahakshatrapasa Bhartrudamaputra—
The bust is in high relief numerical signs are visible. Chaitya, double
crescents and dots are blurred but the legend is fairly clear.

24. Silver, circular, weight 1.496 gms

Obverse: Blurred bust, punch marks of crescent and dots.
Reverse: Chaitya, other symbols worn out.
Legend: Trapasa Bha (tru) (da) maputrasa—
The bust facing right is blurred and marked with crescent and dots. Only
some portion of the legend is visible.

25. Silver, circular, weight 2.17 gms.

Obverse: Bust, numerical signs.
Reverse: Chaitya, crescent, dots.
Legend: ——Rajna Mahakshatrapasa Bhartrudamaputrasa Ragnya—
The bust of this specimen differs slightly from the preceding ones. It has a
pointed nose while the others have slightly blunt nose. The numerical
signs of 20 and 5 are visible so this coin is dated 225.
The symbols and legend at the reverse are fairly clear.

26. Silver, circular, weight 1.78 gms.

Obverse: Bust in high relief, no dots.
Reverse: Symbols worn out, part of legend visible.
Though the bust is in high relief no details are visible. The punch marks
of dots and crescent are visible. No trace of numerical symbols. The
symbols on the reverse are completely worn out.

27. Silver, circular, weight 1.57 gms.

Obverse: Bust, no trace of numerical symbols.
Reverse: Chaitya, crescent and legend—

—Putrasa Rajnya Kshatrapasa Vishva—

This bust though in relief is dévoid of details , No trace of numerical

signs. The chaitya and crescent are clear but no trace of dots.

Kshatrapa Vishvasena ( Saka 216-217 to 227 A.D 294-5 to 305 ).

28. Silver. roundish. weight 1.843 gms.
Obverse: Bust of king facing right.
Reverse: Symbols worn out, only faint shape of chaitya is visible.
Legend: Rajna Ksha—putrasa Ragnyo Kshatrapasa Vishvasenas—
The bust is printed in prominent relief. The nose, eye, lips; chin, ear and
hair are visible. The decorated collar is also visible. Only two third of the
legend is struck on the reverse. The letters are in low clear relief. The
symbols of crescent and dots are worn out but the shape of the chaitya
symbol could still be marked.

29. Silver, roundish, weight 1.81 gms.

Obverse: Very clearly depicted bust of king in half relief,
Reverse: Chaitya symbol, double crescent, dots:
The portrait is represented in very prominent relief. The eye with its eye-
brow, nose, lips, chin, Cheek, ear, hair and cap) are marked clearly. Some
traces of decoration on the collar are also visible. No trace of numerical
symbol is visible. The almost complete legend on the reverse is inscribed
in clear lines in low broad relief. The symbol of double crescent looks like
short wavy lines. The dots are also clear. The wavy line at the base of the
Chaitya symbol is marked roughly.
Kshatrapa Rudrasimha—son of Swami Jivadaman.
(Saka 227-33 AD. 305-313)
4. Silver, circular, weight 1.71gms.
Obverse: Bust, no trace of numerical signs
Reverse: The peculiar chaitya symbol of one arch,crescent and dots.
—Swami Jvadamaputra—Rajnya Kshatrapasa Rudrashasa—
The slightly blurred bust is marked with punch marks of dots. Date
symbols are not marked. The legend is inscribed in typical angular letters.
The chaitya symbol is peculiar. It seems there is some mistake in the eye.
Only one arch, oblique hooked line and slightly wavy line is depicted at
the base.

31. Silver, circular, weight 1.74 gms.

Obverse: Bust marked with punch marks.
Reverse: Chaitya, crescent, dots.
—Svami Jivadamaputrasa Rajnya Ksha—pasa Rudrasanasa—
The bust is blurred and marked with punch marks. No trace of numerical
sign. The symbols and legend at the reverse are quite clear.

32. Silver, circular, weight 1.88 gms.

Obverse: Bust, some numerical sign, bust punched with dots etc.
Reverse: Chaitya, double crescent, dots.
Legend: Svama Javadamaputrasa Ragnya Kshatrapasa Rudrasimhasa.
The bust is worn out. Still eye, lips and parts of hair locks are visible.
Some loops of the numerical symbols are visible. 200 can be deciphered.
Symbols of decimal and unit are too blurred. The chaitya, double crescent
and sum are clear. The legend is also complete. This is the only coin of
the whole lot where legend is complete.

33. Silver, circular, weight 2.34 gms.

Obverse: Clear bust in high relief with punch marks of dots and crescent.
No traces of numerical symbols.
Reverse: (Chaitya, crescent, sun, almost complete legend.
Legend: Swam(i) Jivadama putrasa Rajna Kshatrapasa Rudrasahasa.
Almost undeteriorated specimen. The bust in high relief is having all
details of nose, nostril, eye, chin, jaw, hair and robecollar. But as the die
is not struck correctly no symbols of numerical signs are inscribed. The
chaitya, double crescent, and sun are clear. The horizontal wavy line at
the base of the chaitya is joined with the’ RU" so that there seems to be
long horizontal line. Letters are angular.

34. Silver, circular, weight 2.5 gms.

Obverse: Bust in high relief, lower portion is cut off.
Some portion of undeciphered Greek legend.
Reverse: Chaitya, crescent, sun. Almost complete legend.
Svami Jivadamaputrasa RajnyaKshatrapasa Rudrasim—
The bust in high relief is worn out. Its lower portion is not inscribed.
Some part of Greek legend is inscribed along the edge. The chaitya is
typical . Its lower semi circles are not attached to one another. The
crescent and sun are clear.
Kshatrapa Yashodaman IInd—son of Rudrasimha IInd-—( Saka 239 to
254—A.D.317 to 332)

. 35. Silver , circular , weight 1.85gms.

Obverse: Worn out bust with punch marks or crescent very faint traces of
numerical signs at the back of the bust.
Reverse: Almost complete legend, chaitya, crescent and sun are clear.
. —Rajnya Kshatrapasa Rudrasanaputrasa Rajnya Kshatrapasa—
Yasodamana—
The bust though in bold relief is worn out. One punch mark of crescent
and dots are inscribed on the bust. The numerical symbols are all worn
out and hence are not legible. The legend on the reverse is clearly legible.
The chaitya and sun are also clear but the crescent is not accurate.

Mahakshatrapa Svami Rudrasena IIIrd—son of Mahakshatrapa Svami

Rudradaman IInd ( Saka 270-300 A.D. 348-378 ).

36. Silver, circular, weight 1.92 gms.

Obverse: Bust, Greek legend .
Reverse: Chaitya with a finial like vertical stroke surmounting it , double
Moon ,sun. ‘The legend is worn out along the edge.

Legend: Rajnya Mahakshatrapasa Svama Rudradamaputrasa Rajnya

Mahakshatrapasa Rudrasanasa------
The upper part of the bust is not inscribed so no head-dress is visible. The
face is very big and covers nearly three quarters of the space. It does not
resemble those illustrated by Rapson. There is some legend in Greek but it
is also partly worn out. The chaitya is typical .It is surmounted by a
vertical stroke put probably to represent a finial. Double crescent and sun
are also clear. But most interesting feature of this coin is the
representation of three crescents instead of horizontal wavy line at the
base of the chaitya.

37. Silver, circular, 1.61. gms.

Obverse: Blurred bust and symbols of numerical signs.
Reverse: Chaitya, crescent and sun.
Legend: Rajnya Mahakshatrapasa Svami Rudradamaputrasa rajnya
Kshatrapa-sa— Rudrasanasa—
The bust is highly corroded, hence, no details of face are visible: The
reverse aloe though deteriorated is clear. The chaitya is very small. The
crescents look like dots. The legend is almost complete.

38 . Silver, circular, weight 1.81 gms.

Obverse: Corroded bust, some traces of numerical signs.
Reverse: Chaitya almost flat, crescents and Sun are also in Very tiny dots.
—Rajnya Mahakshatrapasa Svama Rudradama putra (sa) Rajnya—Svami
Rudrasanasa—
The remaining two coins are much worn out hence, their legends could
not be dechiphered completely or even partially so that they can be
assigned to a particular king.

39. Silver, roundish, weight 9.36 gms.

Obverse:- Bust of king facing right.
Reverse: Crescent, chaitya
Legead: Rudrasa—trasa—Rajnya Mahakshatra—
The face is much worn out hence only its outline is visible. Details of
features are not so clear. The legend on the reverse is marked in low bold
letters, The symbol of dots is completely missing because the die is struck
a bit sideward. The crescent is roughly marked. The chaitya symbol and
the wavy line at its base are also not accurate.

40.Silver, roundish, weight 1.437 gms.

Obverse: Portrait of king facing right.
Reverse: Chaitya, crescent, dots.
Legend: Rajnyo Mahakshatrapa—
This is a thin, much wore out coin. Due to the pressure of the striking the
portrait in relief is printed in a concavity. It is further marked with number
of punch marks of dots, circles, crescents and specks. Only rough outline
of face, eye, hair and some parts of the cap are visible. Due to the
concavity of the obverse side the reverse side has become convex and
hence is much worn out. Only few letters could be deciphered. The
symbols of crescent, dots and the chaitya are also blurred but could be
seen easily.
The coins from No 41 to 57 are much worn out. On some of them, only
party of same letters like “Kshatrapa”etc. are visible so they cannot be
assigned to any ruler. But the typical busts of kings with their peculiar
cap, hair, collar and facial features, as well as the chaitya and other
symbols on the reverse indicate that these coins can be assigned to the
Kshatrapa dynasty only.
 MAITRAKA COINS

In all, three Maitraka coins have been discovered. Out of which two are of
silver alloy having silver and lead. The third coin is a silver plated copper
coin. The two silver coins are best preserved specimens. There are no
signs of use marked on them. The letters as well as symbols and the bust
of the king are in sharp, distinct relief. But, unfortunately the legends of
only one could be deciphered. The second specimen, though in excellent
condition could not be deciphered completely. Only some of its letters are
deciphered. The reading of the legend of such coins is a matter of
controversy among scholars.|
On the obverse of these coins is represented the head of the king in
profile. Letters or decoration except this head are marked on this side. The
profile figure represents a mature man having prominent impressive
features which convey authority and dignity. The pointed nose is slightly
hooked at the tip. The pointed tip and even the curve of the nostril is
clearly visible. Slightly sloping forehead is typical. The bow shaped
eyebrow is also marked with a line of relief. No more details of eye are
given, except its outline. The lips are depicted by two dot-like. Though
the date are very tiny, they are put at the exact place and hence convey the
shape of the lips perfectly. The chin is marked by a prominent relief. The
drooping moustaches are hooked at the end. The most attractive feature of
the head is the extraordinary jaw and cheek marked very prominently.
The ear is marked by a hook like line which depicts upper part of ear,
while the earlobe is represented by a small thin loop. The peak cap is also
clearly visible, from under which are sticking out the wavy hair which
form a prominent curl around the ear and then drop upto the line of neck.
No other symbols, legend or other markings are represented on this side.

The reverse of these coins is marked by a trident and the legend. The
legend is in Brahmi script with small sirorekhas and slightly hooked
letters at bottom end. This legend is inscribed in a circle and can be read
in a clockwise direction. The outer line of the legend is marked by a circle
formed by dotted line. The trident has three blades. The central one is
straight and slightly tapering at the end. It is longer than the flanking
blades. The flanking blades are shorter than the central one and are
pointed at the end. They are slightly curved near their tips and are joined
to the central rod by curves joining part of the three blades is marked by a
circular dot.

The shaft of the trident ends in a blunt point. One of the tridents has an
axe ( Parashu ) attached at the end. No other marking are there.

58. Sri Sarvvabhattaraka ( A.D. 380 to 465 )

Alloy of silver, roundish, weight 1.346 gms.
Obverse: Bust of the king facing right.
Reverse: Trident, below which a Parashu is attached on the shaft.
59. Alloy of silver, roundish, weight 1.463 gms
Obverse: Bust of the King facing right.
Reverse: Trident.
Legend: Though the letters are very clearly marked they could not be
deciphered accurately.

60. Silver-coated copper, roundish, weight 1.290 gms.

Obverse: The bust is completely worn out only three embossed wavy lines
representing the hair can clearly be identified.
Reverse: Trident and legend. The border of this coin is broken so the
letters cannot be deciphered.
 INDO-SASSANID COINS

The two Indo-Sassanian coins are broken. But inspite of such condition
the beautifully adorned head on obverse and the altar and stylized figures
on reverse could easily be recognized. ( Pl, XXX H ).

It should be noted here that such coins were found from Sind also. The
Gadhaiyas which are supposed to have been derived from these coins are
found in profusion from various sites of Gujarat.
 OBSERVATION

With the analysis of the whole of the coinage section of the Devnimori ,it
was observed that most of the coins found belonged to the Kshatrapa
dynasty of Ujjain( circa A.D.100 to circa A.D.400 ) and they don’t
comprise the kings of the Western Kshatrapa who ruled the Western
Indian dominion in the beginning of the 1st century CE.
Out of the 59 Kshatrapa coins found , 39 coins were discovered in a tiny
red pot buried in the yellow silt filling assigned to Phase II of the site.
Interestingly , the coins of Bhartrudaman bears the title of Kshatrapa , but
one of the coin weighing 1.75gms, silver , roundish, bear the title of
Mahakshatrapa. No numerical signs are visible in the coin.
Most of the kings have the title bearing Mahakshatrapa . Many of the
coins does not have the legends clear at all but almost all the coins have a
chaitya , crescent and a sun in the reverse of the coin showing the
following of the same pattern as the coins of the rulers of the Western
Kshatrapas.
The excavation of the coins from the casket found in the in-situ position
in the stupa indicates that the construction of the stupa was given as a Dan
by the Kshatrapa kings probably.
Interestingly ,the presence of the Maitraka coins may indicate co-ordial
relation of the Maitrakas with the Kshatrapas of Ujjain. The presence of
Indo – Sassanian coins of the earlier type has raised some questions of
whether they had a trading or friendly relation with the kshatrapas or not.
 REFERENCES

 Excavation at Devnimori ( A report of the excavation conducted

from 1960 to 1963) ;
The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda , Vadodara 2010;
Dr.R.N.Mehta and Dr.S.N.Chowdhary