Pre-Mauryan punchmarked coins (c.600-320 BC) 525-475 v. Chr. Rare silver vimshatika, Kashi Janapada under Kasala (c.525-475 BC), India (R-899)

Four punchmarks (see below) / Various bankers' marks. 27mm20mm, 4.56 grams. Rajgor Series 58, #899.

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.