Maitraka Dynasty of Vallabhi Madasena of Gujarat c. 5th Century CE Silver 1 Drachm

Obverse: Bust of the king facing right, rendered in the Western Indian Kshatrapa tradition, with the portrait occupying the central field.

Reverse: Trident surrounded by a Brahmi legend, with the inscription arranged around the principal religious symbol.

Madasena of Gujarat is a historically important ruler whose coinage has traditionally been associated with the Maitraka dynasty of Western India. Recent numismatic research by Ian J. Todd and Alexander M. Fishman has proposed a significant reattribution, identifying these trident-type drachms with Madasena, the son of the last Western Kshatrapa ruler Rudrasimha III. This attribution places the series in the 5th century CE and connects it with the transitional period following the decline of Western Kshatrapa authority in Gujarat. The coin retains the characteristic portrait tradition of earlier Kshatrapa coinage while introducing a distinctive trident reverse surrounded by Brahmi lettering.

Coinage Note: The AR Drachm of Madasena is an especially interesting type because of its important numismatic reattribution. Catalogued as ACR #3625, the type was conventionally attributed to the Maitraka dynasty but has been reattributed by Fishman and Todd to Madasena of Gujarat, son of Rudrasimha III. Its Western Kshatrapa-style royal portrait, prominent trident, Brahmi legend, and scarce availability make it a significant issue for collectors of early medieval Western Indian coinage.