INDIA, Post-Mauryan (Deccan). Satavahanas (Andhras). Gautamiputra Yajna Satakarni, circa 167-196. Drachm (Silver, 15 mm, 2.01 g, 1 h). 'SIRI YAJNA SATAKANISA RANO GOTAMIPUTASA' ('Lord Yajna Satakanisa, son of Queen Gautami' in Brahmi) Curly-haired bust of Yajna Satakanisa to right, wearing jewel on forehead and battle-axe earrings . Rev. 'ARAHANAKU GOTAMIPUTAKU HIRU YANA HATAKANIKU' (in southern Brahmi/Telugu) Four-orbed Ujjain symbol on the left; on the right, six-arched hill surmounted by crescent; above, sun smbol. Michael Mitchiner, The Coinage and History of Southern India, Part I, 156-157. Pieper, 688. Nicely toned. Holed twice, otherwise, very fine.


The silver coins of the Satavahana Empire represent the first numismatic portraits indigenous to India and are likely a response to the coinage of their rivals, the Western Kshatrapas. The frequent piercing of these drachms indicates that they were often worn as pendants.