I have several coins of KumaraGupta, with both a Garuda (winged monster) and the three arched hill. The coins I have seen of the Gupta Empire are imitative of the early coins of the Western Satraps. A continuation of the "Greek" style of minting coins. Struck flans with a distinctive obverse and reverse. In this case the king's bust obverse and a Garuda reverse. I would say this coin is fairly inexpensive and common, but extremely rare with all the jazz on the flan. These are actually round dies struck on square flans. I don't believe there is any difference in rarity or value based on reverse type and I don't believe I have ever seen a full sized "round" coin. Many of the coins available sport about 1/8 of the total reverse legend and are often heavily circulated so the bust is worn flat. In other cases, as a result of the square flans and round dies the bust is off-struck significantly. I selected this coin because of the amount of details on both sides. I think I have a good example of what this coin is supposed to look like, and I am still missing legend. The reverse being readable (not by me-yet) , the text is visually appealing and the Garuda has good squiggles. I am very pleased. India Gupta Empire Kumaragupta I (414-455) Western Provinces AR Drachm 12 mm x 2.09 g Obverse: Formal Bust of KumaraGupta I right. Reverse: Garuda facing with wings spread. Brahmi script-Parama-bhagavata rajahiraja-Sri Kumara Gupta. Mahendraditya ref:Mit.ACE 4845
That is a nice reverse for these! The obverse is centered high which shows a pair of dotted arcs below. What are they?
I would like to know the answer to that myself. There is actually two "things" there are those arch and dots, which I think are part of the king's regalia. Until now I have never seen the "letters???" in front of the bust. What is that ? hThe coins of the western satraps sport a date on reverse of the head. I wonder if it is a date or part of the legend. If it is a date I wonder which era is in use? Regnal? Saka Era? Gupta Era? I would like to know more.
Ski- I am thrilled, that my collecting habits have inspired at least one person, you did infect me with the Byzantine Fever, remember, thanks.
I had one similar but sold it. Dont regret it though. Yours is better then what mine was. Nice addition.
Nice addition. Chandragupta pretty much too over from Kidarites. Not many men could ever say they wiped out a group of huns.
Another winner!! :high5: ... yup, "anything" that is facing with wings spread is a keeper in my books!!
