Silver Punch-marked coins. Complete Set of all 16 janapadas, listed in ‘Anguttara Nikaya’. India’s earliest coins ever. Issued by various janapadas during the times of Lord Buddha and Lord Mahavira. The term ‘janapada’ refers to ancient Indian kingdoms that existed between sixth and third centuries BC. Ancient Buddhist chronicle Anguttara Nikaya frequently refers to 16 great kingdoms and republics (‘Solas Mahajanapadas’) that flourished in a belt from Gandhara in northwest to Anga in the eastern parts of India and included parts of trans-Vindhyan region; prior to the rise of Jainism and Buddhism in India. These Janapadas, rose to prominence in around 600 BC and retained their independence for very brief periods only. Most of the janapadas never issued coins. Only a handful of janapadas (viz. ‘sodasa mahajanapadas’ or 16 great kingdoms of Anguttara Nikaya) were prominent enough to have issued punch-marked coins. Their find-spots are generally restricted to the geographical area of the respective janapada. Due to these two factors, most of this series is extremely rare. A great opportunity to acquire the complete set of all 16 janpadas as a single lot. First ever appeared on a sale. Exceedingly rare. Gandhara, 600-300 BC, Silver, 11.15g, Two symbols. Geometrical marks. Bar type flan & Scyphate. (Rajgor Series 34, Type 540, pp.101). Territories from Kabul in Afghanistan to Peshawar in Pakistan, with capital at Taxila. Vajji, 575-450 BC, Silver, 7.02g, Single Symbol. (Rajgor Series 33, pp.95-96). Most important republic of Buddhist era, situated in modern Vaishali-Muzaffarpur districts of Bihar. Capital at Vaishali. Vatsa, 500-410 BC, Silver, 3.54g, Four Symbols. Elephant, Bow/Arrow, Scorpion with sun above, Scorpion with fish above. (Rajgor Series 78, pp.181-182). Located near Allahabad in UP on n. bank of Yamuna (capital at Kaushambi). Magadha, 600-200 BC, Silver, 3.45g, Five Symbols. Six-armed symbol, Sun, Four squares with dots inside, Wheel within a square, elephant to right. (G/H Series-I, Var.-48). Territories - Patna and Gaya in S. Bihar and parts of Bengal in east. Eearliest capital Rajagriha (modern Rajgir), later shifted to Pataliputra (modern Patana). Kashi, 600-465 BC, Silver, 4.60g, Four symbols. Geometrical symbols. (Rajgor Series 58, pp.138-148). Territories: Varanasi, Jaunpur, Ghazipur & Mirzapur districts of eastern U.P. Capital at Varanasi. One of most ancient janapadas. Lost its independence rather early, which makes its coinage extremely rare. Chedi, 500-400 BC, Silver, 3.43g, Four symbols. Six-armed symbol and geometric marks. Situated to south of Vatsa (separated by Yamuna river) (modern Bundelkhand in UP and n. MP areas). Earlier capital at Shuktimati (later shifted to Tripuri). Kosala, 525-465 BC, Silver, 2.47g, Four symbols. 3’S’ symbol, Crescent and Circle with Arrows, Taurine in shield, Elephant to Right. (Rajgor Series 65, pp.159-162). Territories: Ayodhya, Gonda and Behraich districts in UP. Its earliest capital was Ayodhya and then Shravasti. Kuru/Pauravas, 450-335 BC, Silver, 2.02g, Two symbols, One of the rarest series having secondary official symbol. (Mitchiner M., Ancient Trade and Early Coinage – Vol.-I, pp.810-813). Puranas trace origin of Kurus from Puru-Bharata family. Pauravas were a line of Kurus that settled north of Ganga near Kaushambi. Matsya, 400-350 BC, Silver, …..g, Single symbol. Geometrical mark. (Sharma S., N.D. Vol.-29-30 (2005-2006). Territories: Jaipur, Alwar & parts of Bharatpur in Rajasthan. Capital at Viratanagara (modern Bairat). Malla, 550-320 BC, Silver, 2.01g, Single symbol. Geometric design. (Rajgor Series 72, pp.170). A tribe of Buddha’s times, having two branches (capitals at Pava and Kushinara). Territories: modern Deoria and Gorakhpur districts of UP). Kambojas 500-400 BC, Silver, …..g, Single symbol. Geometrical mark. (Ref: Hardaker T., N.D. Vol.-29-30 (2005-2006). Territories: Cis-Hindukush region from Nurestan up to Rajauri in southwest of Kashmir. Capital at Rajapura (modern Rajori) in Kashmir. Anga, 550-500 BC, Copper, 7.16g, 5 (obv.)+ 4 (rev.) geometric symbols. An important janapada of pre-Buddhist era, situated in modern Bhagalpur-Munger districts of Bihar. Ashmaka, 500-350 BC, Silver, 1.51g, Four Symbols. Elephant to L., Tree, Fish with four taurines & dots around (x 2). (Rajgor Series 26, pp.85-86). Territories: Nasik, Dhule, Jalgaon & Aurangabad in N.Maharashtra. Shurasena, 400-350 BC, Silver, 1.59g, Single symbol. Lion to R. with a flying bird over it. (Rajgor Series 76, pp.178). Territories: ‘Brij’ region of UP and adjoining parts of Haryana, Rajasthan & MP. Capital at Mathura. Panchala,400-350 BC, Silver, 1.81g, Single symbol. Geometrical mark. (Rajgor Series 73, Type 1145, pp.173). Territories: Budaun, Farrukhabad and the adjoining districts of UP. Capitals at Ahichhatra (Bareilly District) and Kampilya (Farrukhabad District). Avanti, 500-400 BC, Silver, 1.02g, Single Symbol. Geometric design. (Rajgor Series 24, pp.80). Territories: modern Malwa, Nimar and adj. parts in MP with capital at Ujjaini.