About Extremely Fine, Exceedingly Rare.

According to the 'Rajatarangini', the historical chronicle of Kashmir written by Kalhana (c.12th century), Meghavahana was ruler and founder of second Gonaddha dynasty of Kashmir. He is said to have been living in exile at the court of the king of Gandhara. He was invited to rule by a group of Kashmiri ministers, is described as a strong but pious ruler. He was a great upholder of the doctrine of 'Ahmisa' and prohibited killing of animals in sacrifices. There are several legendary anecdotes which illustrate the spiritual greatness of the king and his command of supernatural powers. Coins of Meghavahan have come to notice of numismatists only very recently and they are a very welcome addition to our knowledge, particularly as corroborations of Kalhana's textual accounts. They are of high artistic merit and the execution of their motifs is of a 'sculptural' or monumental standard and style, surpassing even the Guptas in terms of beauty and expressivity. The depiction of Shiva with the tiger can be regarded as a reference to his 'Pashupati' or the 'protector of animals' form. This is in agreement with Kalhana's description of Meghavahana's prohibition of killing of animals. The goddess Lakshmi on the reverse is shown with 'Shanka' and 'Kumbha', two well-known symbols of fertility and prosperity .