Western Kshatrapas King Rudrasena III Silver Drachm Ancient Indian Coin

Western Kshatrapas, Rudrasena III, (c. 270–300 CE), Denomination: AR Drachm, Composition: Silver, Weight: 2.01 grams, Diameter: 14 mm, Reference: Senior #360D, Very Fine, Very Scarce.

Obverse: Bust of King Rudrasena III facing right, wearing a satrapal cap and necklace, with the date in Brahmi numerals behind the portrait and a corrupted Greek-style inscription surrounding it.

Reverse: Three-arched hill above a wavy line, with a crescent on the hill, another crescent in the left field, and a sun in the right field, surrounded by a Brahmi inscription.

Rudrasena III was a ruler of the Western Kshatrapas, a dynasty of Indo-Scythian origin that governed parts of western and central India, particularly Gujarat, Malwa, and the Saurashtra region. The Western Kshatrapas maintained a long-standing tradition of silver coinage influenced by earlier Indo-Greek monetary designs. Their rulers used distinctive portraits, dated issues, and regional scripts to establish royal authority and facilitate commerce. During Rudrasena III’s period, the dynasty continued its established monetary traditions amid the changing political landscape of ancient India. The combination of royal portraiture and religious symbolism makes his coinage an important part of the Western Kshatrapa numismatic series.

Coinage Note: This silver Drachm of Rudrasena III belongs to the Western Kshatrapa coinage tradition. The obverse features the ruler’s bust and date, while the reverse displays the characteristic three-arched hill, crescents, and sun. The Brahmi legend reflects the dynasty’s regional identity and established minting practices. These small silver coins supported commercial exchange across western India and remain significant to collectors studying ancient Indian portrait coinage.