| Obverse |
Head of king right, blundered Greek legend around |
| Reverse |
Crescented three-arched hill (chaitya), river below, crescent moon at left, sun at right, Brahmi legend around (at 3:00, clockwise): Rajno Mahakshatrapasa Isvaradattasa varshe prathame |
| Date |
possibly S. 164 = 242 CE |
| Weight |
2.20 gm. |
| Diameter |
15 mm. |
| Die axis |
4 o'clock |
| Reference |
Senior 352.2, Fishman 24.2.x
|
| Comments |
The identity and dating of Isvaradatta is highly uncertain. The most widely held current theory is that he was a usurper, since he does not name his father on his coins and appears to want to start a new era. This coin, for example, includes in the legend the words varshe prathame (year one). There is the further question of his date. Senior has published a coin (Sen 352.1) that appears to have the Saka era date 164 behind the head, and the varshe prathame legend on the reverse. This gives us a clue for the date. The coins are quite scarce. This coin features a strong legend, with the name and year clearly present. The obverse is slightly double struck. |