12 potin coins of Satavahana period found

Head of the Department of history, Government First Grade College in Kuvempunagar, S G Ramadasa Reddy has stated in a press release, they have excavated 12 sere lead and potin coins. They are circular in shape with a diameter of 20x19 mm, weighing five grams. Though the similar type of coins have been discovered in other parts of the state, it is for the first time, they have been found in Shimoga district.

The coins may belong to second century AD taking the history of the district to the period of rule of Satavahana kings Satakarni and Pulmavi. One can also decipher the names of the kings in Prakrit in Brahmi script, with the picture of elephant engraved on them. The symbol of Ujjain can also be seen on another side.

Well-known historian A V Narasimha Murthy has described the discovery as extremely significant.

The team of researchers included B V Vasanth Kumar from the department of Kannada, Government Women’s College in Mandya and Ramakrishna of Soraba.