Rajanyas Janapada, (100 BC), Copper Fractional Unit, Obv: goddess Lakshmi in standing posture, holding lotus in right hand, Brahmi legend around “Rajana Jana(padasa)”, Rev: humped Bull (Nandi) walking to left, rayed circle border, 1.6g, 12.91mm, (Tribal coins of Ancient India, Devendra Handa # Pl.XXX-7), choice extremely fine, Exceedingly Rare.

The Sanskrit word ‘Rajanya’ connotes ‘a person of the Kshatriya caste or ‘Royal Personage’ in general. The word is met with for the first time in the Purusha - Sukta of the Rigveda, where, dwelling upon the fourfold division of the society, it is stated that the Brahmana sprang from the mouth of the primeval being (Purusha), the Rajanyas from his arms, the Vaisyas from his thighs and the Sudras from his feet. The word since then has constantly been in use in literature from the Rigvedic period. Rajanya was a tribe of Kshatriyas and also a Janapada as mentioned by Panini in the Mahabharata. It is believed that the Goddess Rajinidevi (depicted like a Kundaki) was the god of Rajanya Janapada of the area near by Rajini Plateau. The coins bearing the legend “Rajana Janapadasa” (of the Rajanya tribe) are extremely rare and not more than 30 coins have been recorded in collections across the world so far.

This specimen shows the great features of bull Nandi showing complete details of horns, face, eyes, body and tail. It is a rare occasion to get complete details on such tiny coin.