Maharathis of Andhra (100 AD), Chulavaruni, During the Satavahana Era, Copper Unit, Obv: lion standing in centre facing to right, Brahmi legend  'Ma ha ra thi sa chu (la va ru na) sa', Rev: elephant standing in centre facing left, Brahmi legends around 'runa...', 6.67g, 20.02mm, about extremely fine, Beautiful example of coin being re-used by same ruler with prior striking with elephant as central symbol and later struck with lion as central symbol, Extremely Rare.

Maharathi was one of the titles that adorned the feudal rulers during the Satavahana period. Other feudal titles used were Mahagramikas, Mahabhojas, Mahasenapathis, Mahatalvaras etc. The word Maharathi is perhaps derived from the word Rathikas who were a specific geographic group of people in the present day Maharashtra. The Rathikas infact find mention in Ashokan inscriptions along with another group of people called the Bhojakas. This suggests that the Maharathi title predates the Satavahana period. Satavahanas as a major power in the Deccan is by now sufficiently clear from the fact that coins such as those of the Kuras and coins with the appelation Maharathi both precede and overlap with satavahana coins in stratigraphic contexts. This stratigraphic position is now further confirmed by excavation at Veerapuram (Kurnool District, Andhra Pradesh) where coins of local Maharathis first merge with uninscribed coins and then occur with few Satavahana pieces. Dr Shailen Bhandare has published in his thesis a hitherto unknown Maharathi issue bearing the legend 'Maharathisa Chulavarunisa'.