
Two punches. 18mmx13mm, 0.96 grams. Rajgor Series 53, #697 var (left punchmark is the same, right punchmark is different).
Rare very silver shana, struck using the repousse method, pre-Kasala conquest. These were struck on large large and thin flans, and are usually found cracked or broken. This piece has a small edge chipped off and the crack stabilized by some old epoxy and backing. Extremely rare and very difficult to find.
In ca.525 BC Kashi, the long-time enemy of Kasala, was conquered by it, and was administered as a Kasala province until the conquest of Kasala by Magadha in ca.475 BC. During the earlier part of this period, Kashi issued vimshatikas, and later switched to a karshapana standard, closely adhering to the general layout of the Kasala coins. This coin, as well as a few other we are offering, are from an old US collection of Kashi and Kasala vimshatikas and karshapanas sold by Steve Album. These very large early punchmarks are all rare.