Marudhar Arts
Auction 34 3 Jul 2021
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City-State of Kurapurika (200 BC), Narmada Valley, Bell Metal Unit, Obv: an eight-petaled flower, having a Brahmi letter on each petal reading "(Ku) ra Ku ra pu ri ka sa", Rev: uniface, 1.5g, 14.57mm, (Unlisted), sharp strike, choice very fine, Extremely Rare.
Note: This important coin is from the city-state of Kurapurika, and its unique style of arrangement of the Brahmi legends within each petal of the central flower is unlisted and unrecorded in any numismatic reference. Purika was a well-known city in the Avanti area since 200 BC. According to John Fleet, Purika is located to the south of the island of Mahismati (Mandhata in the Khandwa district) in the Narmada. Kurapurika was the ancient name of this renowned city-state.
It was the discovery of a horde in Eran-Vidisha, (modern-day Madhya Pradesh) that prompted archeologists to trace the location of Purika. This horde included both inscribed and uninscribed coins, the inscribed coins bore the legend of 'Kurapurika' (as seen in the above specimen). The boat symbol is often seen in Kurapurika coins and in other coins bearing the marks of the city of Ujjain. Kurapurka coins have also been located in eastern Malwa.
The exact location of Kurapurika remains uncertain to this day and its can be safely assumed that their presence in other city-states is evidence of trade.
Note: This important coin is from the city-state of Kurapurika, and its unique style of arrangement of the Brahmi legends within each petal of the central flower is unlisted and unrecorded in any numismatic reference. Purika was a well-known city in the Avanti area since 200 BC. According to John Fleet, Purika is located to the south of the island of Mahismati (Mandhata in the Khandwa district) in the Narmada. Kurapurika was the ancient name of this renowned city-state.
It was the discovery of a horde in Eran-Vidisha, (modern-day Madhya Pradesh) that prompted archeologists to trace the location of Purika. This horde included both inscribed and uninscribed coins, the inscribed coins bore the legend of 'Kurapurika' (as seen in the above specimen). The boat symbol is often seen in Kurapurika coins and in other coins bearing the marks of the city of Ujjain. Kurapurka coins have also been located in eastern Malwa.
The exact location of Kurapurika remains uncertain to this day and its can be safely assumed that their presence in other city-states is evidence of trade.