Silver drachm with OM, Omkara Mandhata monastery in Malwa, Paramaras, c.1150-1300, India (MNIS 434)

Very stylized Sassanian-style bust facing right, Nahari letter SRI in late style behind bust / Stylized fire altar, OM in the middle of the altar (abbreviated name of the monastery). 14mm, 4.36 grams, Mitchener NIS 434.

Scarce high grade coin struck in good silver.

These coins were minted in Malwa India by the Rajput Paramara dynasty rulers of the area. The mintplace is indicated on these coins, a very rare and unusual feature for the times - Omkara is a large monastery located on the northern bank of the river Narbada near Mandhata in Indore. At these times the monasteries were the centers of the culture and played a major role in the economy of India by employing people from the surrounding countryside for various purposed. The coins coined at the monastery were probably used to pay these employees. These rare drachmas are known with various abbreviations of the name "Omkara", usually in form of "OM".