Kuninda Dynasty (200 BC), Copper Tetradrachma, Chitresvara type, Obv: lord Shiva standing facing front, wearing a turban on the head, holding trident with axe in right hand, left hand akimbo, Leopard skin hanging from left arm, a lotus behind his left shoulder with Brahmi legend around “Bhagava(tah Chitresvara-Maha)tmana”, Rev: Deer standing facing left, six arched hill in front with lotus under it, the tree behind the Deer has four horizontal branches, Deer stretched horns are visible, vase with Srivatsa on right above on the back of the Deer and Indradhvaja below the Deer, 17.50g, 25.20mm, (Handa # Pl. LXXX- 3-4), about very fine, Exceedingly Rare.

Note: Shiva Chitreshwar coins are among the most enigmatic types of entire Tribal coinage of ancient India. First known in 1834 from Saharanpur in UP, this is a highly localized series of tribal coinage, known mostly from Garhwal-Kumaon and adjoining regions. Interestingly, Shiva, in form of a swayambhu linga is still worshipped as Chitresvara by the people of Gopeshwar near Almora in Uttarakhand. As per Hindu mythology, Chitreshwar (Shiva) is father of Kartikeya (Brahmanyadeva), a well-known figure from Yaudheya coinage. The legend on these coins i.e. 'Bhagavato Chitresvara Mahatmanah' means (coin of) 'almighty Chitreshwar'. There is absolutely no doubt that the word stands for lord Shiva, who is depicted on the coin. The British Museum collection of 11 such coins comes from Nelson Wright, Spink, Rodgers and Cunningham. These coins are generally struck on Kushana coinage module and seem to have been issued on two weight standards; 160 and 80 Rattis of 18.5 and 9.25 gms. respectively. Since being found, attribution of these coins has been debated. Some scholars were inclined to link these coins with Kunindas whereas others were of the opinion of the Yaudheya issues. This debate is far from settled but coming to similarities with Shadanan Brahmanyadeva type coins than Amoghabhuti coins, the Chitreshwar coins are closer to former rather than latter. Coins of Chitreshvara type are quite rare and only a few pieces are known.

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