Satavahana Coinage

The article examines the coinage of the Andhras or Sitavahana rulers and their feudatories, the Andhrabhreyas, focusing on an evaluation of E.J. Rapson’s theory regarding the local, dynastic, and personal characteristics of these coins. Rapson advocated for the local character of Indian coins, arguing that conquered provinces within the Satavahana empire possessed distinctive coinages. He grouped Andhra coinage into well-marked varieties, such as "fabric A" and "fabric B," based on metal, fabric, and types like the Ujjain symbol, caitya, and various animals. Rapson further attempted to localize different coin types to specific districts, including Chanda, Anantapur, Cuddapah, Coromandel coast, Chitaldrug, Karwar, Kolhapur, Nasik, and Sopara, and assigned certain types to E. Malwa and W. Malwa based on the work of V.A. Smith. However, the author argues that since the publication of Rapson’s Catalogue, numerous new coins have been discovered, necessitating a fresh examination and a somewhat critical view of Rapson’s rigid classification. The evidence shows that coin types assigned by Rapson to specific localities are now found in other regions. For instance, the "elephant with Ujjain symbol" type, assigned to the Chanda district and Andhradesa, has been found in Kolhapur, and the "ship with Ujjain symbol" type from the Coromandel coast has appeared in Andhradesa. Furthermore, coins of the "caitya with Ujjain symbol" type, previously thought to be exclusive to Sopara, have been discovered at Bhilsa, Besnagar, Tewar, and Bheraghat. The "elephant: Ujjain symbol" type has been unearthed in the Kondapur region and the Hyderabad neighborhood, while new types like a silver coin of "caitya: Ujjain symbol" have been found at Ujjain, and a new lead type has come from Jubbulpore. These findings indicate that there can be no hard and fast rule regarding the occurrence of certain types at fixed places, though a general local affinity is still evident. The author also discusses dynastic and personal traits. The Ujjain symbol, frequently occurring on imperial and provincial coins, is considered a permanent mark and emblem of the Andhras. The "caitya" or "hill" symbol and the elephant device, appearing across many provinces, are suggested as dynastic emblems. The "tree within railing and caitya" device is found on the coins of the Maharathis, Kura rulers, and other feudatories, possibly serving as a general family symbol for the feudatory class. Personal characteristics are traced in the depiction of busts on silver coins of Vasisthiputra Pulumavi, Vasisthiputra Satakarni, and Sri Yajna Satakarni. While Rapson initially attributed certain type changes in Andhradesa to Yajna Satakarni, Y. Rama Rao's research shows that these modifications, such as the introduction of the "elephant" obverse and the "six arched caitya," actually reflect the personal preferences of Gautami Satakarni, Yajna's predecessor. The author concludes that while Rapson's theory is strengthened by new evidence regarding general local affinity, his rigid localization must be modified in light of these fresh discoveries.

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