Marudhar Arts
Auction 33 27-28 Feb 2021
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City-State of Kurapurika (200 BC), Narmada Valley, Kamshya or bell metal coin called as Kamshika, Obv: a human figure (possibly lord Shiva) standing facing forward and holding a staff in the right hand, Brahmi legend "(Ku)rakurapuri(kasa)" below, Rev: uniface, 6.1g, 21.41mm, (Unlisted), about very fine, Very Rare.
Note: It is the first time we are offering the coin of Kurapurika bearing an anthropomorphic figure making it very important offering. It is hitherto unpublished & unlisted.
Purika was a city in the Avanti area and was well known in the ancient times since 200 BC. According to John Fleet, Purika is to be located to the south of the island of Mahismati (Mandhata in the Khandwa district) in the Narmada. Kurapurika was an ancient name of this renowned city-state.
It was the discovery of a horde in Eran-Vidisha in modern-day Madhya Pradesh that prompted archeologists to trace the location of Purika. This horde included inscribed and uninscribed coins, and the inscribed coins bore the legend 'Kurapurika' as can be seen in the above specimen. The boat symbol is often seen in Kurapurika coins and also in the coins bearing marks of the city of Ujjain. Kurapurka coins have also been located in easter Malwa.
The exact location of Kurapurika remains uncertain to this day and its can be safely assumed that their presence in the location of other city-states is evidence of trade.
Note: It is the first time we are offering the coin of Kurapurika bearing an anthropomorphic figure making it very important offering. It is hitherto unpublished & unlisted.
Purika was a city in the Avanti area and was well known in the ancient times since 200 BC. According to John Fleet, Purika is to be located to the south of the island of Mahismati (Mandhata in the Khandwa district) in the Narmada. Kurapurika was an ancient name of this renowned city-state.
It was the discovery of a horde in Eran-Vidisha in modern-day Madhya Pradesh that prompted archeologists to trace the location of Purika. This horde included inscribed and uninscribed coins, and the inscribed coins bore the legend 'Kurapurika' as can be seen in the above specimen. The boat symbol is often seen in Kurapurika coins and also in the coins bearing marks of the city of Ujjain. Kurapurka coins have also been located in easter Malwa.
The exact location of Kurapurika remains uncertain to this day and its can be safely assumed that their presence in the location of other city-states is evidence of trade.