Watch List notes:

5th century B.C. AR karshapana (30 mm, 3.28 g). Five official punches: six-armed Magadha imperial symbol, sun symbol, tortoise swimming left, centipede, and a circular symbol / Blank. Gupta & Hardaker series I. Scarce. An attractive specimen with bold punches on a broad flan. Nice very fine.

This coin dates from the accession of Ajatashatru, the son of King Bimbisara. Ajatashatru was an ambitious warrior and expanded the kingdom of Magadha by rapidly conquering his neighbours. He laid the foundation of the great Magadhan empire that controlled the entire Gangetic basin for the next 300 years.