Chalukyas of Badami (6-8 Century AD), Anonymous Issue, Gold Varaha (Gadyana), Obv: a caparisoned Varaha (Boar), the Chalukya insignia facing left, surrounded by floral scroll, with sun and crescent symbols above, Rev: decorated three story gopuram (temple) with deity/Nandi in it? dotted circular border around, 3.9g, 13.69mm, (Unlisted in major references), choice extremely fine, Exceptionally Rare.

The combination of Boar and Temple has come in existence for the first time, it is uncertain that which ruler has struck this, only its similar features importantly its insignia makes it the Badami Chalukya. The metal flow is perfect.

Pulakeshi I Chalukya, governor of Badami under the Banavasi Kadamba King Harivarman, (5th Century AD), established his sovereignty and founded the Badami Chalukya dynasty around 540 AD. He assumed the title Maharaja and performed the Ashvamedha sacrifice to assert his sovereign status. The Badami Chalukyas ruled for almost 2 centuries until 757 AD. During this time the Chalukya Kingdom had spread beyond the river narmada upto Malwa-Gujarat in the north, the Kalinga and South Kosala Kingdoms to the east and Kadamba Kingdoms located in the upper Tungabhadra basin to the south. Badami was the capital of Chalukya kings between 6th to 8th centuries CE.

The Badami Chalukyas had Boar (Varaha) as their symbol and designs such as the boar/temple, temple/sceptre, lamps/temple and boar/lamps, and issued a series of die struck coins bearing their dynastic devices. The temple design, seen on the coins, seems to be inspired from the temples at Aihole, the earlier capital of the Badami Chalukyas.

Highest rarity of Badami Chalukya, offered for the first time in any auction!