Behrampore : Sixty gold coins reportedly dating back to the Gupta period were unearthed from a construction site at Ahiran Bridge near NH-34. But police said that 11 were found till Saturday and those who find more such coins would be rewarded. Sources said that Joychand Mondal and Milan Mondal were busy working on the approach road to connect Ahiran Bridge with the national highway, when they noticed something glistening in the sand.

Soon as the news spread, residents from the nearby Babupara and Dangapara villages rushed to the spot and began searching through the sand. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), who assessed the historical value of the coins through a sample sent to them, have asked police to beef up vigil at the construction site and at Mirzapur and Gankar from where the sand was procured.

” We have conducted a preliminary inquiry and think they belong to the era of Chandragupta II. The ASI will start excavation soon,” said Mousumi Banerjee, curator, Murshidabad, ASI. However, the area was cordoned off only on Saturday, three days after labourers first spotted two coins in the heap of sand. In the meanwhile, sources reported that a villager had already sold a coin for Rs 70,000. Cops are looking for the accused.

Amar Roy, deputy director of state archaeology department, said that the site is close to Karnasubarna that was the capital of Raja Shashankas kingdom. Bhagirathi which thrived in commercial activities during the 6th century is also close to the construction site. During his visit, Roy confirmed that the coins were used during the reign of Samudragupta and his son Chandragupta II.