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The Coin Galleries: Western Kshatrapas: Isvaradatta

Hoards of Western Kshatrapa coins frequently contain coins of one Isvaradatta, who seems to be a usurper. He does not name his father, nor does he normally date the coins in the usual way. His reverse legend includes the words varshe prathame (first year) or varshe dvitiye (second year). Thus, although the coins look superficially to belong to the Kshatrapa series, most authors agree that he did not belong to the royal family. Certain of his coins seem to have a date on the obverse, which has been tentatively read as 164. Thus it seems Isvaradatta tried to usurp the throne from Vijayasena. His attempt did not last long as the year 2 coins are very rare and no later date coins are known.

Isvaradatta as mahakshatrapa

Isvaradatta as mahakshatrapa
c. S. 164-65 (=242-43 CE)

Head of king right /
Chaitya (3-arched hill), river below, crescent moon and sun above, Brahmi legend around
     rajno mahakshatrapasa isvaradattasa varshe prathame (dvitiye)
     
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