Mahatalavara Coins (A Hoard from Phanigiri, Nalgonda District)

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Ancient Andhra coins were unique among Indian coins in two important aspects. The Andhra rulers were the first to issue coins made exclusively of lead since the earliest times. Lead is one of the oldest metals known but it has seldom been used for coinage except by Andhra rulers. It started with the use of lead for making uninscribed coins during the Post-Mauryan and Pre-Satavahana period and continued till the time Vishnukundins. It was only in the Andhra region that coins came to be issued even by high officials of the ruling dynasties having such titles as Talavara, Mahatalavara, Mahasenapathi, Maharathi and Mahagramika. Asokan and other inscriptions of the period reveal that these were the officials of that era. Another curious aspect of Andhra coinage was that during the rule of Asaf Jahis Jagirdars and Samsthan chiefs were allowed to issue coins. These coins issued from wanaparthi, Gadwal, Narayanpet etc, came to be known as chalni coins.

As we know that Andhradesa, prior to the advent of Satavahanas was ruled by several local chieftains, as attested by epigraphical and numismatic evidences. The known rajas are Raja Kuberaka of Bhattiprolu, Raja Somaka of Vaddemanu, Raja Kumariya Sammaliya of Dhanayakataka, Raja Sangopa, Narana, Kammvaya siri of Kotilingala etc. Recent excavations at Polakonda in Warangal district discovered a coin bearing a symbol of Horse with legend Mahatalavara in pre-satavahana levels. The above evidence suggests that clearly certain areas were under the control of chieftains ruled with the title Mahatalavara, perhaps to look after the Revenue and law and order status in that particular area.