Gandhara Janapada Silver 1/16th Shatamana fractional Punchmarked Coin

Gandhara Janapada, Period: c. 500–400 BCE, Denomination: 1/16th Shatamana, Composition: Silver,  Weight: 0.60 grams, Diameter: 12 mm, Reference: Rajgor #577, About Very Fine, Very Scarce,

Obverse: Punchmark showing a six-armed Gandharan symbol with a distinct dot placed between two of the arms.

Reverse: Blank.

This silver fractional punchmarked coin belongs to the Gandhara Janapada, one of the earliest and most influential political and cultural regions of north-western India during the late Vedic and early Mahajanapada period. Flourishing around 500–400 BCE, Gandhara occupied a strategic position along important trade routes connecting the Indian subcontinent with Central Asia and the Iranian world. The issuance of small fractional denominations like the 1/16th shatamana (½ shana) reflects a highly developed monetary system designed to facilitate daily market transactions, wages, and local trade.

The distinctive six-armed Gandharan symbol seen on this coin is a well-recognized regional punchmark, clearly different in style and iconography from the punchmarks used in Magadha and eastern India. Such symbols played a crucial role in identifying issuing authorities before the use of legends or inscriptions. Due to their tiny size, low weight, and heavy circulation, fractional punchmarked coins from Gandhara are increasingly scarce today. Well-preserved examples are especially valued, as they provide direct insight into the economic life, trade practices, and administrative sophistication of early historic India.