Pre-Mauryan punchmarked coins (c.600-320 BC) 600-500 avant J.-C. Silver 5-mana, Shakya Janapada - time of Buddha, c.600-500 BC, India (Hirano I.8)

Uniface cut ingot with a round punchmark, numerous different small bankers' marks around / Blank. 25mm (at the widest) x 20mm, 6.14 grams. Rajgor #522var.; S.Hirano "Archaic Silver Punchmarked Coinage" #I.8.

Rajgor does not list this mark exactly, but S.Hirano shows a small hoard of coins with this mark. This coin is a beautiful high grade, not completely cleaned and is very rare. The flan was cast and struck on a wooden anvil, resulting in the characteristic reverse. The coin is differently described as a double karshapana of 5 shanas or half a shatamana.

The Shakya Janapada was an ancient republic located in the Himalayan foothills, in what is now southern Nepal and northern India. It is most famous as the birthplace of Siddhartha Gautama, who became the Buddha. The Shakyas governed themselves through a council of elders rather than a monarchy, reflecting a republican political structure. Their capital was Kapilavastu, and they lived a relatively modest, disciplined life. Eventually, the Shakya Janapada was absorbed into the larger Kosala Kingdom. Despite its small size, the Shakya clan holds immense historical and spiritual significance due to its connection with the origins of Buddhism.

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