Drachm - Srimadadivaraha dramma ND

Reverse

Legend srimadadi/ varaha in two lines, fire altar below flanked by attendants on both sides; dotted border

Script: Brahmi

Edge

Plain

Comment

Track 3 of Indo-Sassanian Coinage - Eastern Indo-Sassanian coinage - Imperial Pratihara Empire 

The Pratiharas – Srimadadivaraha dramma 

These coins are attributed to the Pratihara king Bhoja I CE 836 – 885; it is believed that the currency continued in circulation for more than a century after his death.

Fig 132: an artists impression of the coin

On the Obverse - The coins are divided into two types: 

Type 1 featuring the Varaha without a lotus 

Type 2 with upturned lotus 

Type 1 is further divided into two groups: 

Group 1 with normal fabric Varaha 

Group 2 with Varaha in linear drwaings

Fig 133 explains the above classifications as well as displays the progressive degradation

Fig 133a                                                                                                             Fig 133b

On the Reverse – the legend and surrounding motifs

Fig 134 displaying progressive degradation of the legend and motifs

The charts below (Figures 135, 136 and 137) explain the various combinations of Obverse and Reverse, found by the author during his studies of the series

Fig 135: combination of obverse and reverse typologies found on Type 1, Group 1

Fig 136: Combination of Obv and Rev typologies found on Type 1, Group 2

Fig 137: Combination of Obv and Rev typologies found on Type 2

31 combinations as listed by the author –

Few examples with close matching coins

1.1.1.1 (Type 1, Group 1, Obv 1, Rev 1) also, OP coin above

1.1.2.1 (Type 1, Group 1, Obv 2, Rev 1

1.1.3a.2  (Type 1, Group 1, Obv 3a, Rev 2)

1.1.3b.4 (Type 1, Group 1, Obv 3b, Rev 4)

1.2.4.3 (Type 1, Group 2, Obv 4, Rev 3)

2.--.7.2 (Type 2, Group n/a, Obv 7, Rev 2)

The above information is based on studies conducted by KK Maheshwari & extracted from his book - Imitations in Continuity

Unpublished variants

One can occasionally come across a combination not covered in the book, two examples

1.1.4.4 (Type 1, Group 1, Obv 4, Rev 4)

1.2.5.5 (Type 1, Group 2, Obv 5, Rev 5)

image credits -
1. Imitations in Continuity - K.K. Maheshwari
2. Amit Kher Collection

Interesting fact