Ancient India – Gurjara-Pratihara Dynasty
Anonymous Billon Dramma | “Sri Vigra” / Vigrahapala Type | 3.41 g
A scarce and historically fascinating billon Dramma attributed to the Gurjara-Pratihara period, featuring the distinctive stylized crowned head and fire altar design popularly associated with the so-called “Sri Vigra” or Vigrahapala coinage. Dating broadly to the early medieval period, this compact coin represents an important phase in the development of north Indian monetary traditions.
The highly stylized artistic style of the coin is particularly appealing, combining a crowned royal bust on the obverse with a symbolic fire altar flanked by attendants on the reverse.
OBVERSE:
The obverse features a stylized crowned head facing right. The portrait is rendered in the distinctive abstract style characteristic of this medieval north Indian coinage.
REVERSE:
The reverse depicts a stylized fire altar, flanked by attendants or symbolic figures. This distinctive reverse design is an important feature of the so-called “Sri Vigra” / Vigrahapala Dramma type.
COIN DETAILS:
Dynasty: Gurjara-Pratihara
Attribution: Anonymous / “Sri Vigra” or Vigrahapala Type
Period: Early Medieval India
Approximate Date: c. 9th–10th Century CE
Denomination: Dramma
Metal: Billon
Weight: 3.41 g
Diameter: 16.35 mm
Condition: About Fine
Obverse: Stylized crowned head facing right
Reverse: Stylized fire altar flanked by attendants
Type: So-called “Sri Vigra” / Vigrahapala Dramma
Rarity: Scarce
Age: Approximately 1,000–1,200 years old
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND:
The Gurjara-Pratiharas were among the most important powers of early medieval northern India. Their influence extended across large parts of northern and western India, and their period played a significant role in the political and cultural history of the region.
The coinage associated with this era is particularly interesting because of its highly stylized designs, which differ considerably from the more naturalistic portraits seen on earlier Greek and Kushan issues.
NUMISMATIC SIGNIFICANCE:
This type is notable for its distinctive combination of a stylized crowned bust and fire altar imagery. The artistic transformation of these motifs reflects the changing traditions of Indian coinage during the early medieval period.
The “Sri Vigra” attribution makes this type especially interesting to collectors of Gurjara-Pratihara and early medieval Indian coinage.
WHY THIS COIN IS SPECIAL:
• Scarce Gurjara-Pratihara period coin
• Interesting so-called “Sri Vigra” / Vigrahapala type
• Distinctive stylized crowned head
• Symbolic fire altar reverse
• Historic billon Dramma denomination
• Over 1,000 years old
• Important example of early medieval north Indian coinage
COLLECTOR'S APPEAL:
An excellent addition to collections specialising in Gurjara-Pratihara coins, early medieval Indian coinage, ancient and medieval billon coins, Dramma denominations, stylized portrait coinage and the numismatic history of northern India.
A scarce and fascinating early medieval Indian billon Dramma, approximately 1,000+ years old, featuring the distinctive stylized crowned head and fire altar design of the celebrated “Sri Vigra” type.
