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This type was unknown until recently; it was not included in the original edition of Gupta and Hardaker's catalogue, but is present in the second edition.
The Series I coins are the earliest issues of the Magadha janapada and are all very rare.
Gupta and Hardaker attribute all Series I coins to the kings Bimbisara and Ajatashatru, which would make them contemporary to the time of the Buddha. Indeed, Bimbisara offered his kingdom to the Buddha and the Buddha attained his enlightenment while living in Magadha.
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