Extremely Rare 1 Karshapana Silver Punch Marked Mauryan Empire Coin | India's First Coin of Chandragupt Maurya | Ancient India Magadh Dynasty Collectible Coins # A251

Description

Rare silver punch marked Karshapana of ancient India, from the Magadha–Mauryan series. The coin is struck on an irregular rectangular flan and carries several individually applied symbol punches on the obverse, including a sun-type symbol and a multi-armed symbol along with hill and other minor devices. The reverse shows a single small punch, as is usual for this series.

• Denomination: 1 Karshapana (punch marked)
• Period: Ancient India, Magadha Janapada / Mauryan Empire
• Metal: Silver
• Approximate size: 18.3 mm across the rectangular flan
• Mint: not identifiable; punch marked coinage carries no mint mark
• Condition: Fine, with even wear, old surface toning and partly off-flan punches

The images show the actual coin that the buyer will receive.

Step back to the dawn of Indian numismatics with this extraordinarily rare 1 Karshapana silver punch-marked coin, tracing its origins to the mighty Magadha-Mauryan Empire of ancient India, roughly associated with the era of Emperor Chandragupta Maurya. Struck on an intriguing, irregular rectangular silver flan measuring approximately 18.3 mm, this physical piece of antiquity features a series of individually applied symbol punches on the obverse—including the classic sun and multi-armed devices—along with the expected single punch mark on the reverse. Graded as Fine with heavy historical use, it displays authentic old surface toning and partly off-flan punches that tell a captivating story of ancient commerce. Because punch-marked coins carry no traditional mint marks, each surviving specimen is completely unique. History enthusiasts and advanced numismatists prize these pieces as India's earliest standardized currency, making this scarce artifact an absolute cornerstone for any serious ancient world coin collection. You will receive the exact collector's piece photographed.