This is my newest ancient. I hope I got the peacock on his feet. If the seller is correct than this is Skandagupta, who ruled northern India from 455 AD until his death in 467 AD. Normally wouldn't go for India coins but I liked the peacock design. I would appreciate any additional information. Thank you.
The seller is wrong. The name in Brahmi script reads clockwise from about 2 o'clock : "Sri KuMaRaGuPta..". A nice specimen of the type ! But it could well be a posthumous or inofficial type. The orientation of the legend is odd. The rulers name almost always starts on the other side of the peacock. Also, there are several errors in the legend.
Mine was IDed as Kumaragupta but has centering problems that combine with my ignorance of the language to mean I'm taking someone else's word for it. By contrast, my Skandragupta has a bull reverse.
I had thought the "peacock" was a Garuda – but I'm very (!) far from being anything close to an expert on these. Gupta Empire, Kumaragupta I, AR drachm, c. 415–455 AD, "Western type." Obv: Head of king r.; blundered legend. Rev: "Paramabhāgavata Rajadhiraja Sri Kumaragupta Mahendraditya"; Garuda standing facing. 14.3mm, 1.70g. Ref: Mitchiner 4845-58
@Ancientcoinnut...I've always found the gupta type coinage difficult to Id!?.........I do know that @THCoins Knows his stuff and has helped me out on numerous occasions with Indian coins.. Agree with this....And BTW a nice coin. Yep me too!....But I do like your Skandragupta lovely Nandi bull reverse! Here's my possible Kumaragupta I...
I also have some of Kumaragupta (although I know nothing about these coins so I don't really know). I managed to get 10 of these for $40 USD several years ago. Interesting coins!
