230 



Numismatic Gleanings. [no. 6 } new series, 



Of the symbols more particularly associated with the worship 

 of Buddha, the chakram or wheel is the most prevalent and oc- 

 curs on every coin, sometimes in the form of a disk surrounded 

 by rays, sometimes with rays alternately resembling an umbrella 

 and a loop containing the crescent shaped termination of a Bud- 

 dhist cjiaitya. 



The chaitya emblem is also of frequent occurrence its most com- 

 mon form being a pyramid of two arches surmounted by a third 

 or the pyramid may consist three or more tiers of arches. Exam- 

 ples occur on figs. 9, 10, 12, 22, 23 and 26. 



The uppermost arch of the chaitya is often surmounted by a 

 ball and crescent, but is not so represented on any of the coins now 

 figured. The ball and crescent however is met with frequently, 

 either single, as in figs. 16 and 19 or associated with other emblems, 

 as in the case of the chakrams already mentioned and on figs. 19 

 and 27 with a plough. It is also found on the Sah coins of the Surash- 

 trian series where it has been conjectured to represent a numeral.* 



The tree sacred to Buddha (Ficus religiosa) is seen on figs. 9, 13, 

 18, and 26. 



On 5 j and 1 1 are represented a symbol which has been com- 

 pared to a cadeuceus and which also bears some resemblance to the 

 numeral taken for 9 on the Surashtrian coins. It occurs likewise 

 on the Behat Coins. J 



On fig. 1 8 and several others (not figured) is a bow and arrow 

 on fig. 7 a hand,§ &c. &c. 



The next class of coins contains those represented by figs. 28 to 

 35. Here the execution is better and there is a gradual transition 

 from the use of punches to that of a matrix or die embracing the 

 whole surface, but on one side only, and then to the employment 

 of a double die with impressions on both sides. 



* Jour. R. As. Soc. Vol. XII. p. 36. 

 + Ibid, also Jour. As. Soc. Beng. VII. p. 349—354 and PI. XIX. 

 t Jour. As. Soc. Beng. III. PI. xxv. Fig. 1. 

 § Ibid. VII. PI. xi. Fig. 2, 



