Pallava Bull Bronze Unit – Srivatsa, Snake & Crescent, Uniface | Krishnamurthy #50 Type M117

Pallava Bull Bronze Unit – Srivatsa, Snake & Crescent, Uniface | Krishnamurthy #50 Type

An early South Indian bronze/copper-alloy unit attributed to the Pallavas of Kanchi, belonging to the distinctive bull series of Pallava coinage.

The obverse depicts an upright bull standing facing right. Above the bull are a group of auspicious symbols including the Srivatsa, a snake and a crescent moon, with traces of a dotted border around the design.

The reverse of this particular variety is uniface or essentially blank, which is a documented characteristic of the type rather than simply the result of wear.

Comparable specimens are catalogued as variants of R. Krishnamurthy, The Pallava Coins #50 and are generally dated to the early Pallava period.

Dynasty: Pallavas of Kanchi
Region: South India / Tamil region
Period: c. 300–500 CE
Metal: Bronze / copper alloy or potin depending on composition
Type: Bull with Srivatsa, snake and crescent
Obverse: Bull standing right; Srivatsa, snake and crescent above
Reverse: Uniface / blank
Reference: Variant of R. Krishnamurthy #50
Condition: Low circulated grade; worn details with dark-green patina