Western Satraps (Indo-Scythian Kingdom) Rudrasena II 255–278 AD Silver 1 Drachm Historical Coin

Western Satraps (Indo-Scythian Kingdom), Ruler: Rudrasena II, Reign: c. 255–278 CE, Denomination: 1 Drachm, Metal: Silver, Weight: 1.99 grams, Diameter: 15 mm, References: BMC Delhi #581, AMF# 27.1, About Extremely Fine, Scarce.

Obverse: Head of king facing right with date behind and illegible Greek legends around.

Reverse: Chaitya (three-arched hill) with river below, crescent moon and sun above; Brahmi legend around.

The reign of Rudrasena II marked a period of continuity and stability in the later history of the Western Satrap dynasty. Succeeding his father Viradaman, Rudrasena II assumed the title of Mahakshatrapa and maintained the silver drachm tradition that had served as the principal currency of western India for centuries. His coinage adhered to the characteristic portrait-and-chaitya design inherited from earlier rulers, reflecting the enduring cultural and political identity of the dynasty. During his reign, the prosperous regions of Gujarat and Malwa remained active centers of inland and maritime commerce, benefiting from trade networks that connected western India with the Arabian Sea and beyond. The abundance and chronology of his silver issues have provided scholars such as Edward Rapson and A. M. Fishman with valuable material for reconstructing the succession and history of the late Western Satraps. Today, the drachms of Rudrasena II are regarded as important witnesses to the final flourishing of Indo-Scythian power in western India.

Coinage Note: The reverse Brahmi legend identifies Rudrasena II as the son of Mahakshatrapa Viradaman. His silver drachms are extensively studied and catalogued in Rapson’s Catalogue of Indian Coins in the British Museum and A. M. Fishman’s The Silver Coinage of the Western Satraps in India (50–400 AD), making them key reference types for the chronology of the dynasty.