India, Shunga Empire, 187-75 BC, Cast AE 1/2 Karshapana, Elephant, Zeno-12505

Description

This coin was issued as
a low denomination cash
coin in
Shunga Empire
(circa 187-75 BC)
in central-eastern
India.
Shunga Empire
was an ancient Indian dynasty
from Magadha Region
that controlled areas of the central and eastern
Indian subcontinent from around
187 to 75 BC
.   The empire was established by Pushyamitra Shunga, after the
throne
of the Mauryan Empire
.  Pushyamitra Shunga ruled for 36 years and was succeeded by his son Agnimitra.
However, after the death of Agnimitra, the the
empire rapidly disintegrated
.
Its capital in early period was located in
Pataliputra City
, present-day Patna City.
Sanchi (23.4792, 77.7397)
is a Buddhist complex on a hilltop at Sanchi town in Madhya Pradesh State.
Great Stupa
at Sanchi is one of the
oldest stone structures
in India.  It was originally commissioned by the Mauryan emperor Ashoka.
The Sanchi Stupa, built during Mauryan period, was
made of bricks
.   During the following centuries, especially under the
Shungas
and
the Satavahanas, the Great Stupa was
enlarged
and
covered with stones
and
decorated
with gates and railing.
[The above explanations are quoted from Wikipedia etc.]
Cast copper square 1/2 Karshapana.
Design : Elephant to left above horizontally placed Indradhvaja. /
Railed tree on right.  Three-arched hill, above hollow cross on the left.
Provenance : Ex "Coin Trends", in Victoria State, Australia in 1998
.
Catalog number is MA (Mitchiner, Ancient)-4348 and Zeno-12505.
MA catalogue is "Oriental coins and their values, The Ancient & Classical World. 600 BC-AD 650.",
written by Michael Mitchiner, published by Hawkins Publications in London in 1978.
Zeno on line catalogue is "Zeno. Ru - Oriental Coins Database".
Size : 15 x 13 mm,      Weight : 3.33 gr.
★★Next Auction : Start on July 14th (Wed.) / End on July 24th (Sat.).  For 10 days.★★
All items offered are unconditionally guaranteed to be authentic.
I will send you the coins in combined shipping, when you purchase several coins in three days.
The additional shipping fee for additional each coin is 1 USD.
When the total purchase price exceeds 40 USD, I recommended that you receive them by registered mail.
The additional fee for the registered mail is 4 USD.
Please e-mail to me, when you want to receive the coins by registered mail, before sending the payment.
I will send an invoice to you.
But now, unfortunately,
I can not send it with registered mail to some nations, including USA, Canada & Australia.
The Japan Post Authority has stipulated that the current handling of international mail to some nations,
all of the air-mail can not be treated as registered mail.
The handling is due to the paralysis of the international postal system.
I hope to restore international postal services as soon as possible.
Thank you.