India, Gupta Dynasty: Skandagupta Karmaditya (c. 455-467 AD), AR Drachm, Madhyadesha type, GE140(?)

Gupta Dynasty: Skandagupta Karmaditya (c. 455-467 AD), AR Drachm, Madhyadesha type, GE140(?), Shivlee variety A (2.38 g, 14.2 mm)

Obverse: Bust of Skandagupta right; date GE140 resembling the Brahmi letters Gu-pta vertically on right

Reverse: Peacock standing facing with wings and tail outspread; border of dots. Brahmi Inscription Vijitavaniravanipatir jayati divam Skandaguptoyam [Skandagupta, he who conquered (the) Earth (and the) Lords of the Earth, conquers the heavenly planets (through his pious/good deeds)]

 

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My only other Gupta.
I have no idea about its attribution, I guess it's Kumaragupta, 455AD?

 

Yes. Though the legend is partly off-flan, the second part of the king’s name can be seen. I read “...(mahe)ndraditya parama(bhagwata)...”. From the style of the garuda (long-necked), this should be Shivlee Variety B with the king’s title as “rajadhirajasri”.

 

Awesome!

 

Welcome to cointalk!

I’ve got the two, not 100% sure:

INDIA, WESTERN KHSATRAPAS, Bhartdaman . Denomination: AR Drachm, minted: uncertain mint; 278-295 AD
Obv: Head of Bhartdaman, legend around is missing
Rev: Rajno mahakshatrapasa rudrasenaputrasa rajnah kshatrapasa bhartrdamnah. ("[coin of] the sun of king and mahasatrap Rudrasena, king and satrap Bhatrdaman")
Weight: 2.25g; Ø:1.4mm. Catalogue: not found. Provenance: Ex private collection; acq.: 07-2017
Bhartrdāman was the second of two sons of Rudrasena II who came to the throne. He started to issue coins as kshatrapa in the year S. 200, which was the last year that his father was still in power. At the time, his brother Visvasena had been issuing coins as kshatrapa for a few years, and he continued to do so for two more years before claiming the title of mahakshatrapa in 201 or 202. Bhartrdāman issued coins as kshatrapa until 204, at which point he started issuing coins as mahakshatrapa. The mahakshatrapa series continued uninterrupted until S. 217 (= 295 CE).


INDIA, WESTERN KHSATRAPAS, Bhartdaman . Denomination: AR Drachm, minted: uncertain mint; 278-295 AD
Obv: Head of Bhartdaman, legend around is missing
Rev: Rajno mahakshatrapasa rudrasenaputrasa rajnah kshatrapasa bhartrdamnah. ("[coin of] the sun of king and mahasatrap Rudrasena, king and satrap Bhatrdaman")
Weight: 2.25g; Ø:1.4mm. Catalogue: not found. Provenance: Ex private collection; acq.: 07-2017
Bhartrdāman was the second of two sons of Rudrasena II who came to the throne. He started to issue coins as kshatrapa in the year S. 200, which was the last year that his father was still in power. At the time, his brother Visvasena had been issuing coins as kshatrapa for a few years, and he continued to do so for two more years before claiming the title of mahakshatrapa in 201 or 202. Bhartrdāman issued coins as kshatrapa until 204, at which point he started issuing coins as mahakshatrapa. The mahakshatrapa series continued uninterrupted until S. 217 (= 295 CE

 

Nice specimens.

Your first coin is an “old-style” portrait, Fishman “Mint B” (198-204 SE, 276-282 AD). I read the date as SE(20)2, though it could also be 203, if there is a third bar off-flan (see just behind the cap). This would make it Fisman 29.1.202(or 203). Specimens with dates are quite rare: Fishman observes that about 10% specimens of this type have discernable dates.

The second one I am less sure of and will need to check closely later. I read the legend as (starting around 5 o’clock): “...maputrasa rajana mahakshatrapasa Rudrasimhasa Rajano...ksa...”.

 

Welcome!

I always love to see another Indian enthusiast - this forum is generally more western-oriented, but Gupta coins do pop up from time to time.

I have a modest collection of Gupta coins, mostly Kumaragupta / Garuda drachms and Skandagupta / Altar drachms. Slowly working on re-imaging my collection but only got as far as Kushan. I can share these

Unsure of this one because the name is off-flan, but I believe it to be Kumaragupta


These three are definitely Kumaragupta; some of the rare nice specimens that flow through on ebay

 

Welcome, @Amit Vyas. It's hard to imagine anyone here making a more impressive initial appearance! Your erudition is easily on the same level as the (very cool) coin.

 

Nice coins!
I have been trying to get some MS Gupta AV Staters/ no luck yet

 

I really like your graphic, showing the letters of the inscription!

Here is a silver coin I believe was minted under Skandagupta Karmaditya. Did I get the attribution correct?


Guptas, Skandagupta Kramaditya (circa 455-467 AD), 1.69g, AR 11.5mm
Obv: Crude bust of king right
Rev: Parama-bhāgavata Sri Skandagupta Kramaditya (in Brahmi); Lighted altar with steps
Ref: Mitchiner (1978) #4870

To understand the inscription I used internet sources as well as Plant, Greek, Semitic, Asiatic p. 145. "PaRaMa BhAGaVaTa ShRI SKaNDaGUPTa KRaMADITYaH"

 

These are indeed very nice examples. I cannot quite resolve the characters in the first photo [...tya(?)...pa-ra-ma...]. Is the “blob” on top of the Garuda a remnant of mounting?

I am in the process of re-photographing my older acquisitions myself.

 

Thank you.

 

Like many other series, their prices have generally shot up since COVID. The “Archer-type” of Chandragupta II is the most common (and affordable) type I would recommend getting if you are looking for a representative specimen in decent condition and/or are on a budget.

 

The legends on these are typically rendered quite crudely. I can pick up a few characters here and there but can’t make sense of the rest.

 

Adding another:

Gupta Dynasty: Skandagupta Karmaditya (c. 455-467 AD), AR Drachm, Madhyadesha type, GE141, Shivlee variety A (2.38 g, 15.1 mm)

Obverse: Bust of Skandagupta right; date GE141 vertically on right

Reverse: Peacock standing facing with wings and tail outspread; border of dots. Brahmi Inscription Vijitavaniravanipatir jayati divam Skandaguptoyam [Skandagupta, he who conquered (the) Earth (and the) Lords of the Earth, conquers the heavenly planets (through his pious/good deeds)]