KUSHAN DYNASTY COINS BAFFLE EXPERTS

The mystery over the excavation of gold coins at a village in Jankipura in Tonk has become deeper with the recovery of two coins and a terracotta bull dating back to Kushan dynasty and first century AD.

The State Archaeology and Museum Department (SAMD) has prepared a report after examining 108 gold coins, recovered from the villagers till January 17, with images and inscriptions in Greek and Brahmi language.

The report was prepared after the experts deciphered the Greek and Brahmi script as per international archaeological standards.

Initial observations had found that the gold coins date back to the period of Gupta dynasty. However, the new study has revealed that 106 coins belong to the period of three Gupta emperors—Samudragupta (335-380 AD), Chandragupta II (380-415 AD) and Kumaragupta (415-455 AD)—while two were from the Kushan dynasty.

Numismatists are puzzled and have not yet solved the mystery of how these gold coins, which are 500 years apart, have been found in one place.

"The Kushan coins have an image of a king giving 'ahauti' (inflamable item) to the fire on one side. On the other side, there's an image of Greek god and goddesses," said Jafarullah Khan, circle superintendent, SAMD, Ajmer circle, who prepared the report. Inscriptions on the coin in Greek read: 'Shao Nano Shao, Kanishka Kushan (Emperor of the emperor, Kanishka Kushan).

The Gupta period coins have images of god and goddess, 'veena', peacock, chair, etc., and inscriptions in Brahmi language. "The rarest coin from the Gupta dynasty period is that of a goddess sitting on a chair with the hair falling down over the shoulder. She wears a sari. The words describe her as a goddess and speaks about independence and empowerment of women back then," he said.

To read the complete article, see:
Kushan dynasty coins found in Tonk village baffle experts (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/kushan-dynasty-coins-found-in-tonk-village-baffle-experts/articleshow/57484211.cms)

	NBS (coinbooks.org) Web