138 H. E,ivefct-Carnac — On some copper Buddhist coins. [No. 3, 



Note on some copper Buddhist coins. — By H. Ritett-Cahnac, Esq., C. S., 



C. I. E., F. S. A. 



(With two Plates.) 



I send for the inspection of the Society, some coins, mostly Buddhist 

 from my Cabinet, some of which may perhaps prove of interest. They will 

 not all, I think, be found described or figured in the works most readily 

 accessible to Members, and it is possible some of them may be new types. 

 I am indebted to Mr. A Carlleyle of the ArchaBological Survey for the 

 readings on the coins. 



Plate XVI, Nos. 1, 2. Legend VaisaJcha Bevasa. Two coins, if they 

 may so be called, of the same type differing in size. They are evidently 

 casts, i. e., have been made in a mould prior to the time the art of stamping 

 was discovered. On one side is the Bull taking here the place of the 

 Elephant common to the earlier coins. The name tolerably clear above the 

 Bull. On the obverse what looks like the Trisul of the Sanchi Topes, and 

 the snake. I should be glad to know if this coin is known to the Society ? 



No. 3. Legend Raja Kamuda Senasa. This coin resembles the pre- 

 ceding ones in several respects. The Bull again occupies the most promi- 

 nent place. The legend is beneath the Bull ; near the head of the Bull is 

 the sacred tree. Behind the Bull is the snake. At first sight this has the 

 appearance of an elaborate tail of the Bull. But a careful inspection will 

 show that the tail is separate and quite distinct On the obverse is the 

 well known ornament which I think Fergusson calls the " Trisul," though 

 it is different enough from Shiva's trident. It will be noticed that the 

 marks on these coins have apparently been stamped in the same manner as 

 those of the Mitras, found near Barelli and recently submitted by me to 

 the Society. The Bull and Legend have been stamped in, as if with a 

 square seal, and cover but a portion of the circular piece of metal. 

 Perhaps these coins rej^resent some of the earliest attempts at coining ? 



No. 4. Legend Aja Varmma or Asha Varmma ; a coin of the same 

 type as above ; the legend differing. 



No. 5. Legend Mapliaba Varma. The same remarks apply here also. 

 The coin has been cut in two, and was just going to the melting-pot when I 

 was fortunate enough to rescue the two pieces from a quantity of rubbish. 

 It is to be feared that a good many coins are thus lost to us. All the above 

 were obtained by me at Faizabad. 



No. 6. Maha Satama. A coin apparentlj' of the same tj'pe as above 

 but in bad preservation. 



No. 7. Satya Milrasa. 



