Ancient India
Maharathis of Andhra (100 AD), Chulavaruni, During the Satavahana Era, Copper Unit, Obv: a lion standing facing right in the center, a pair of triangle-headed symbols, a swastika and a circular symbol (sun or moon) is visible, Brahmi legend "Ma ha ra thi sa(chu la va ru na)sa" around, Rev: an elephant standing facing left in the center, Brahmi legends "Mahara. . . . nasa" around, 6.67g, 20.16mm, about extremely fine, Extremely Rare.

Note: A stunning specimen from this series with extra symbols including a swastika, a triangle-headed symbol, the sun or moon and an elephant visible, evidence of an overstrike on some other coin.

Maharathi was one of the titles that adorned the feudal rulers during the Satavahana period. Other feudal titles that were employed during this period included Mahagramika, Mahabhoja, Mahasenapathi and Mahatalvara amongst various others. The word Maharathi is perhaps derived from the word Rathikas, which refers to a specific group of people from present-day Maharashtra. The Rathikas find mention in Ashokan inscriptions along with another group of people called the Bhojakas, suggesting that the Maharathi title predates the Satavahana period. Considering that the Satavahanas were a major power in the Deccan, this is now sufficiently clear from the fact that coins such as those of the Kuras with the appellation Maharathi both precede and overlap with Satavahana coins within stratigraphic contexts. This stratigraphic analysis is has been further established by an excavation at Veerapuram (Kurnool District, Andhra Pradesh) where coins of local Maharathis first merge with uninscribed coins and then occur with few Satavahana pieces. Dr. Shailendra Bhandare has published in his Ph. D. thesis, titled Historical Analysis of the Satavahana Era: A Study of Coins, a hitherto unknown Maharathi issue bearing the legend 'Maharathisa Chulavarunisa'.
Estimate: INR 30000 - 40000