Description: This rare silver coin from the Mauryan Empire, dating back to 322-185 BC, is a true piece of history. With its denomination of Karshapana, it offers a unique glimpse into ancient India's economy and trade. Made of silver, this coin bears no signs of modern polishing or cleaning, allowing its original state to remain intact. Its provenance and ownership history may not be available, but its significance as a relic of the Mauryan Empire cannot be overstated. Add this precious piece to your collection of ancient coins and immerse yourself in the rich cultural heritage of India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. This listing is for one (x1) random silver Maurya Empire Karshapana coin in a flip-holder with description label.Buyer selection is not available for the items in the photos. EMPIRE OF MAURYA322 BC – 125 BCSILVERKARSHAPANA During the Mauryan Period, the punch-marked coin called Rūpyārūpa, which was same as Kārṣāpaṇa, Kahāpana, Prati or Tangka, was made of alloy of silver (11 parts), copper (4 parts) and any other metal or metals (1 part).The Mauryan Empire, which formed around 321 B.C.E. and ended in 185 B.C.E., was the first pan-Indian empire, an empire that covered most of the Indian region. It spanned across central and northern India as well as over parts of modern-day Iran.The Mauryan Empire’s first leader, Chandragupta Maurya, started consolidating land as Alexander the Great’s power began to wane. Alexander’s death in 323 B.C.E. left a large power vacuum, and Chandragupta took advantage, gathering an army and overthrowing the Nanda power in Magadha, in present-day eastern India, marking the start of the Mauryan Empire. After crowning himself king, Chandragupta took additional lands through force and by forming alliances.Chandragupta’s chief minister Kautilya, sometimes called Chanakya, advised Chandragupta and contributed to the empire’s legacy. In addition to being a political strategist, Kautilya is also known for writing the Arthashastra, a treatise about leadership and government. The Arthashastra describes how a state should organize its economy and maintain power. Chandragupta’s government closely resembled the government described in the Arthashastra. One notable aspect of the Arthashastra was its focus on spies. Kautilya recommended the king have large networks of informants to work as a surveillance force for the ruler. The focus on deception reveals a pragmatic, and borderline cynical, view of human nature.Bindusara, Chandragupta’s son, assumed the throne around 300 B.C.E. He kept the empire running smoothly while maintaining its lands. Bindusara’s son, Ashoka, was the third leader of the Mauryam Empire. Ashoka left his mark on history by erecting large stone pillars inscribed with edicts that he issued. After leading a bloody campaign against Kalinga (a region on the central-eastern coast of India), Ashoka reevaluated his commitment to expanding the empire and instead turned to Buddhism and its tenet of nonviolence. Many of his edicts encouraged people to give up violence and live in peace with each other—two important Buddhist principals.After Ashoka’s death, his family continued to reign, but the empire began to break apart. The last of the Mauryas, Brihadratha, was assassinated by his commander in chief—a man named Pushyamrita who went on to found the Shunga Dynasty—in 185 B.C.E.(National Geographic, Encyclopedic Entry, Mauryan Empire, https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/mauryan-empire/)
Price: 14 USD
Location: Blue Bell, Pennsylvania
End Time: 2024-09-13T17:36:39.000Z
Shipping Cost: 1.29 USD
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Item Specifics
All returns accepted: ReturnsNotAccepted
Denomination: Karshapana
Provenance: Ownership History Not Available
Composition: Silver
Year: 322-185 BC
Era: Ancient
Country/Region of Manufacture: India
