Description
Hoysala Empire, Vishnu Vardhana (c. 1108-1152CE), Gold Pagoda, 3.90grms, Obv. A majestic lion standing to the right, foreleg raised in a poised stance, beneath the radiant Sun and Moon, all elegantly framed within an intricate floral border, Rev. Kannada legend divided in three lines Shri Maganga Konara, Overstruck on both sides on a Ganga Coin. Uncirculated, Very Rare. This remarkable gold pagoda belongs to the reign of Vishnuvardhana, one of the most celebrated rulers of the Hoysala Empire, known for territorial expansion, patronage of Vaishnavism, and the flourishing of temple architecture. The reverse legend “Shri Malagala Kesari” is extremely rare — only 3–4 specimens with this legend are known to exist. What makes this particular example especially significant is that it is overstruck on both sides over a Ganga coin, a feature not seen in any other recorded specimen. Such overstriking provides a unique insight into the transitional monetary practices of early 12th-century Karnataka and the interactions between the Hoysalas and their predecessors. This coin is therefore not only a numismatic rarity but also a critical historical artifact, offering valuable evidence for scholars studying coinage succession, dynastic authority, and the evolution of royal titulature in the Hoysala period.
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