1890.] 
249 
puncTi-marlced coins of Hindustan, ^c. 
233. A WHEEL OP POUE .SPOKES. 
Figured by Tbomas. A solar symbol, no doubt. 
234. A TWINNED ‘ Taurine ’ IN A circle. 
Figured by Thomas. 
235. An Elephant to the eight, with trunk raised to salute. Fig. 12. 
This is a popular attitude of the elephant in Buddhist sculptures 
as well as on Buddhist coins. The symbol was figured by J. PrinSep 
(PI, XX, Ancient Hindu coins). 
2.36. The ‘ Wai ’ symbol A. Fig. 219. 
This symbol occurs on a silver coin found near Wai in the Sattara 
collectorate, and is described by Dr. O. Codrington in a paper in the 
Journal of the Bombay Branch Royal Asiatic Society, who thus observes : 
“ The figure on the obverse looks at first sight like the representation of 
an insect with fat body, short legs, pointed head and branching horns or 
large claws ; but I think it may be identified with a common symbol 
on Buddhistic coins which has been mentioned as like that of Taurus, 
and is well shown on page 211, Vol. I, of Thomas’s Prinsep’s Indian 
Antiquities, where it is on a die of a similar shape to that of our coin. 
It will be seen, however, that the figure on this coin is more elaborate ; 
there are the two legs on either side and the pointed angular head ; and 
these marks, with the general shape of the figure lead to an identifica- 
tion of it with the Trisul symbol seen in the Buddhistic sculptures and 
carvings, which the more rude similar’ marks hitherto ponrtrayed, as 
found on coins, do not. This is the mystic symbol found commonly in 
the carvings of the Sanchi and Amravati Topes. It crowns the 
pillars of the gateway of the former Tope, and is on numerous other 
positions, as may be seen in almost any of the Photographs or Plates 
in Fergusson’s Tree and Serpent Worship and in Cunningham’s Bliilsa 
Topes, and by both these authors is described as symbolical of Dharma. 
It is seen too, commonly on the feet of Buddha, together with the 
cholera or wheel. In photograph No. 8 of a paper on “ A Mystic Play 
performed in Ladak ” in Journal A. S. B. Vol. XXXIV, the mask 
representing a bull’s head is nearly the same in outline as the figure on 
our coin. This is not a little interesting in connection with this being 
a Buddhist symbol and like the sign of Taurus.” 
Now with much of this I fully concur, though the resemblance of 
this symbol to a Trisul is far from obvious. By aid, however, of the 
photograph of the mask, used in the mystic play, the puzzling side 
appendages are seen really to represent the Bull’s ears, and the whole 
