Chalukyas of Kalyani or Feudatories, North Karnataka region, Unattributed ‘U’-shaped Gold Fanam, 0.54g, Three punches Lion facing left on the apex, Kannada legend “Malla” on the left arm and Kannada letter “Shri” with an Ankusha symbol on the right arm on obverse. Extremely fine, extremely rare.
‘U’-shaped fanams are known as ‘donke-panam’ (‘bent fanam’) in Kannada inscriptions. They can be classified depending on the dynastic symbol, usually punched on the apex. The Northern Karnataka series often has a lion facing left.