289, Lot: 177. Estimate $100. Sold for $250. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

INDIA, Pre-Mauryan (Deccan). Tribal issues of Mahrashtra. Circa 5th century BC. AR Half Karshapana (15mm, 1.62 g). Four punchmarks: elephant standing left, two geometric patterns, pellet-in-annulet surrounded by three fish (or animal heads?). Rajgor -; ATEC -; cf. Baldwin’s 63, lot 1597-8 (different punchmarks); Todywalla 63, lot 5; Kulkarni, “Coins of Vidarbha Janapada,” ONS 178. Near EF, toned. Rare.

This issue is normally attributed to the Vidarbha Janapada. The recent Chhindawara hoard, however, suggests that it may belong to the Chedi Janapada.