★ A beautifully toned drachm of Amoghabuti ★

INDIA, Post-Mauryan (Punjab). Kunindas. Amoghabuti, circa 150-80 BC. Drachm (Silver, 17 mm, 2.38 g, 12 h). RAJNAH KUNINDASYA AMOGHABHUTISYA MAHARAJASYA ('Great King Amoghabhuti, of the Kunindas' in Brahmi) Deer standing right with raised head; to right, goddess Lakshmi standing front, holding long-stemmed lotus in her right hand and placing her left on her hip. Rev. RAJNAH KUNINDASYA AMOGHABHUTISYA MAHARAJASYA ('Great King Amoghabhuti, of the Kunindas' in Brahmi) Six-arched hill with nandipada above, swastika and split standard on the left and tree in railing on the right; below, river. Pieper 1144. Beautifully toned. A few minor nicks, otherwise, good very fine.

From the collection of Prof. Dr. Björn-Uwe Abels, privately acquired from Todywalla in 1983.

The Kunindas were a native Indian dynasty in the foothills of the Himalayas. Their coinage includes this magnificent issue showing a deer standing next to Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, knowledge and spiritual enlightenment.