Lot 16

Ancient, Punch Marked Coinage, Middle Ganga Valley, Kashi Mahajanapada (c. 6th-5th Century BC), Archaic Scyphate, Silver Vimshatika, 5.03 gms, 22.22 mm, Obverse: Four punchesincluding four-arm wavy symbol, another variety of wavy symbol, Reverse: Multiple banker’s marks, The Kashi Mahajanapada** was one of the sixteen Mahajanapadas that flourished in northern India during the 6th–5th centuries BCE. With its capital at Varanasi (Kashi), it was among the earliest and most prosperous kingdoms, playing a significant role in the political, commercial, and religious life of ancient India. Kashi frequently competed with Kosala, Magadha, and Anga for dominance in the middle Ganga valley before eventually being annexed by Kosala during the time of the Buddha, while continuing to remain an important centre of trade and religion, fine to very fine, very rare.