p a r a t a  r a j a s

About Parata Rajas. [UNDER RE-CONSTRUCTION: April, 2006]

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r e f e r e n c e s

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Indo-Parthian Governors of Saurashtra (Parata Rajas)
Circa 0 - 78 (?) AD

I was fortunate enough to find a small group of these rare coins, 14 in all; 8 of the smaller variety, 6 of the larger (see last coin below) all with swastika reverses. Judging by the patinas, some were obviously from the same find spot. All of the smaller module coins have the swastika going to the right; 3 of the larger coins have them left. I have no idea (yet) in which order these should go. Preliminary report: December, 1999.

Parataraja Coins with Kharosthi Legends
Senior ISCH 280 - 293

7K JPG
Spajheyasa (?)
Billon Drachm
circa 0 - 50 AD (?)
Senior 284.1D
14 mm.
1.76 gm.
Die position=n/a
reverse
Obverse: Diademed, beardless bust left, in the style of Parthian kings of the 1st century CE.
Reverse: Swastika to right; Kharosthi legend, 'Spajhanaputrasa Parataraja Spajheyasa'
Note: Son of Spajhana.

12K JPG
Spajheyasa (?)
AE Drachm
circa 0 - 50 AD (?)
Senior 283.1D
15 mm.
2.10 gm.
Die position=n/a
reverse
Obverse: Bearded (?) bust left, in the style of the Dahae (?).
Reverse: Swastika to right; Kharosthi legend.
Note: Son of Spajhana (?)

8K JPG
Spajheyasa (?)
AE Drachm
circa 0 - 50 AD (?)
Senior 286.1D
14 mm.
1.40 gm.
Die position=n/a
reverse
Obverse: Diademed, beardless bust right, in the style of the later Indo-Greek kings (?).
Reverse: Swastika to right; partial Kharosthi legend, '...sa Paratarajasa Spajheyasa'
Note: Hard to tell from the scan, but this coin bears a striking resemblance to the small coppers of the Huna invader of India, Mihirakula (circa 525 AD).
Note: Son of Spajhana (?)

11K JPG
Spajhama (?)
AE Drachm
circa 0 - 50 AD (?)
Senior 281.1D
14 mm.
1.82 gm.
Die position=n/a
reverse
Obverse: Diademed, beardless bust left, in the style of the early Parthian kings (?). Possibly wearing a close-fitting headdress with some kind of symbol.
Reverse: Swastika to right; partial Kharosthi legend, '...Parataraja...'
Note: Son of Spajhana (?)

9K JPG
Spajhama (?)
Billon Drachm
circa 0 - 50 AD (?)
Senior 281.1D
14 mm.
1.63 gm.
Die position=n/a
reverse
Obverse: Crowned bust left wearing short beard, in the style of the later Kings of Persis (?) (circa 50 BC - 50 AD).
Reverse: Swastika to right; Kharosthi legend.
Note: Son of Spajhana (?)

17K JPG
Uncertain governor/ruler of Saurashtra
AE Unit
circa 0 - 50 AD (?)
Senior 291v.
19 mm.
4.02 gm.
Die position=n/a
reverse
Obverse: Figure standing left, in the style of the Dahae or Kushan kings (?).
Reverse: Swastika to left; Kharosthi legend.

50k JPG
Uncertain ruler
Billon Drachm
Senior ISCH 286v.
14 mm.
1.93 gm.
Die position=?h
Obverse: Bust right.
Reverse: Swastika to right; Kharosthi legend.

30k JPG
Uncertain ruler
AE Hemidrachm
Senior ISCH 285v.
14 mm.
0.72 gm.
Die position=?h
Obverse: Bust right.
Reverse: Swastika to left; Kharosthi legend.

60k JPG
Bhimajhunasa(?)
AE Drachm
Senior ISCH 288v.
14 mm.
1.80 gm.
Die position=?h
Obverse: Bust left.
Reverse: Swastika to right; Kharosthi legend.

Parataraja Coins with Brahmi Legends
Senior ISCH 295 - 299

* For Parthian related coins (including Sanabares
and the Kingdom of Turan) please go here. [circa 50 BC - 230 AD]

* For coins of the Western Kshatrapas please go here. [circa 10 - 405 AD]

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