Mlenia writes:Â I am at a loss to find information regarding this coin. That is probably due to the fact I am not looking in the right places. Any insight would be sincerely appreciated.
Ref: Dime-sized silver coin struck under the ancient Indian rulers Kabul & Gandhara, in power from 870 to 1008 A.D. Obverse of the coin shows a Brahma bull to the left. Reverse of the coin shows a horseman to the right, holding a lance. Coin grades VERY FINE. Thank you very much. (^.^) Mlenia
This coin was struck under the Rajput dynasties. The bull and horseman types are the most common types of coins struck during this era. They started out as silver coins but over time and inflation they were minted in base metal.
The type that you mention was first introduced by the Hindu kings of Kabul and Ohind in about the middle of the 9th century AD. The coin features a humped bull with a trident-like symbol on its side and a inscription above (Nagari). The reverse shows a mounted horseman (the king?) holding a lance and pointing it downwards, Bactrian legend.
“Gandhara” is an ancient place that dates back to the dominion of Eucratides over Bactria and west Gandhara (c.135 BC)
