India, Banas of Madurai and Ramnad, Samarakolakalan, 1469-1476 AD., Kasu, Mitchiner MCSI 564-567.

India, Banas of Madurai and Ramnad, ruler Samarakolakalan, 1469-1476 AD.,
Kasu / Jital (14 mm / 3,07 g), copper, axes irregular alignment ↑↖ (ca. 320°),
Obv.: Garuda running left, holding a sankh (conch) and a chakra (discus).
Rev.: [ சமர ] / கோல / கலன , "[Sa ma ra] / ko la / ka la n" , three lines in Tamil script in beteen lines.
cf. zeno 128100 ; Mitchiner MCSI 564-567 .

thanks to Ram ("Quant.Geek") for the ID


The Banas were a dynasty of South India, who claimed descent from the asura Mahabali. The dynasty takes its name from Bana, the son of Mahabali. The Banas faced opposition from several neighbouring dynasties and served some major dynasties such as the Cholas and Pandyas as feudatories, sometimes after they were subjugated by them. They also served as Samantas to some dynasties such as Chalukyas. The Banas had their capital at various places at different times, including Kolar and Gudimallam. The earliest mention of the Banas in authentic historical records is in the middle of the fourth century AD, and as the feudatories of the Satavahana and early Pallavas.

It was during Mallikarjuna Raya's (of Vijayanagara kingdom) reign, Banas controlled much of Madurai and Ramnad (Ramanathapuram). From the inscriptions, it appears that Irangavillidasan Navali Vanaraya Bana, Bhuvaneka Vira Samara Kolahala, Sundar Tol-udaiyan, Tirumal Irunjolai Mahabali Bana were the chiefs at Madurai as well as Ramnad. They minted coins from Madurai with Garuda on the obverse and their title on the reverse. Beautifully engraved coins appeared in Vijayanagara style, and the artistic beauty was superior.