Tribal-Post Mauryan, Audumbara Dynasty (100 BC), Punjab Region, Copper Unit, Obv: a storied temple with a trident-axe on the right field and traces of Brahmi legend around the field, Rev: a tree within railings and the forepart of an elephant on the right field, wavy river line below and Kharoshthi legend around the field, 2.35g, 13.89x15.53mm, (Handa # Pl.VI-3/W. Pieper # 1147), about very fine, Very Rare.

Note: The earliest reference to the Audumbaras, or the Udambaras or the Odumbaras as they are also called, is from the Ganapatha of Panini who classifies them as being of the Rajanya class. They were amongst the most prominent tribes of ancient India and asserted their dominance from the Himachali foothills between Siramaur, Chamba and Yamuna. They have been credited to have issued coins and the first specimens attributed to them as identified by Alexander Cunningham around 1872-73, were from the 1st century BC. These coins include square or oblong copper and round silver pieces which were found at Pathankot in Gurudaspur district in northern Punjab. They are very rare and have been discovered almost exclusively in Punjab's Kangra district. Sivadasa, Rudradasa, Dharaghosa and Mahadeva are some individual who have been identified as Audaumbara kings, though more recent epigraphical evidence, such as the typological analysis of their coins as presented by Devendra Handa in his book "Tribal Coins of India" (2007), has brought some of their reigns as rulers of this tribe into question. Inscription on Audumbara coins are in the Brahmi and Kharoshiti scripts and clearly depict them as being of the Shaivite faith. Karithikeya was also a popular deity. The bull, the temple with a trident-axe and the figure of Vishwamitra are common motifs from their culture.