The Coinage of the Gupta Empire and its Imitations c11.s1: The Archer Type

The Coinage of the Gupta Empire and its Imitations c11.s1

Language: English

The Archer Type

c11.s1.1

The Archer type is the most popular one of Chandragupta II. Out of the 983 coins of this emperor found in the Bayana hoard, as many as 798 belonged to the Archer type. In the British Museum, in the Indian Museum, in the Lucknow Museum and in the Ashmolean Museum the coins of this type are very numerous, their numbers bring 39, 28, 57 and 14 respectively. This type continued to be popular through the succeeding reigns; during the decline of the empire, its effete rulers issued debased coins only in this type.

c11.s1.2

The coins of this type vary in size from .75" to .9". They were issued to three weight standards, 121, 124 and 127 grains; of these the first is the most common. They are found all over the Gupta empire.

c11.s1.3

The type shows the emperor standing generally to left with *Garudadhvaja* in his front, usually holding a bow in the left hand and an arrow in the right. On the reverse there is the goddess seated on throne in class I and on lotus in class II. The coins of class II show the completion of the process of identifying the goddess on the reverse with Lakshmi, for she is now shown both as seated on lotus and as holding a lotus bud or flower in her hand. In the Bayana hoard class II was about 18 times more numerous than class I;¹ this hoard was probably collected in the northern U. P. and thus shows that the Lakshmi type had become popular even in those portions of the empire, which were once accustomed to the Ardoksho type of the Later Kushānas.

c11.s1.4

¹ There were 41 coins of class I and 757 of class II.

c11.s1.5

Though the coins of class I are relatively few, they show sufficient variety both on the obverse and the reverse. In variety A, which is most common., the king's name is written under the left arm; the goddess on the reverse holds either cornucopiæ or lotus in the left hand, and the right is sometimes opened out and empty, sometimes holding a noose and sometimes scattering round gold coins. In variety B, the name of the king is written between the bow and the bow-string, the string being inside. The variety C differs from variety B in having the bow-string of the bow outside; its legend begins on the left. In variety D, the bow is held at the middle, its string being outside; the name of the king is written outside the string. The variety E ressembles the variety D, but differs from it in not having *Chandra* written varitically on the obverse; a sword hangs by the side of the king. This coin has been only briefly noticed; it is neither illustrated nor fully described. It is interesting to note that all the coins of this class are issued to the weight standard of 121 grains; so far none is found to weigh 124 or 127 grains.

c11.s1.6

( Throne reverse )

c11.s1.7

*Obv:* King standing l., nimbate, wearing Kushāṇa coat and trousers, but an Indian close-fitting cap, often with a pearl-border; earrings, necklace and armlets on his person; he holds bow in left hand and arrow in right, whose palm is generally turned downwards. Garuḍa standard decorated with fillets in his front. *Chandra*, written vertically, usually, under the left arm. Circular legend: *Deva-śrī-mahārājādhirāja-śrī-Chandraguptaḥ* (Pl. XX. 12).

c11.s1.8

*Rev:* Within dotted border Goddess Lakshmī (?) seated on throne and wearing a *sārī*, a bodice, an upper garment, earrings, necklace, armlets and a semi-circular pearl ornament on the forehead; her feet rest on a circular mat or lotus. Back of the throne is visible in some cases and invisible in others. In her left hand, the goddess holds a cornucopiæ in some cases and a lotus in others. The r. hand usually holds a *pāśa* (noose) but it is sometimes empty and sometimes dropping down coins. Legend on r. *Śrīvikramaḥ*. (Pl. XXIII. 51.) Border of dots. Monogram generally on left; in rare cases on right.

c11.s1.9

COINS ILLUSTRATED : 271

c11.s1.10

Variety A

c11.s1.11

(King's name under the l. arm) ²

c11.s1.12

(1) Gold; .85" (Obv.), .8" (Rev.); 117.5 grains (Obv.), 122.5 grains (Rev.); *B. H.*, Pl. VIII.12 (Obv.), Pl. VIII. 6. (Rev.).

c11.s1.13

¹ One coin, however, is twice included in Pl. V, 8 and 11, by oversight, the coins illustrated are thus really 26.

c11.s1.14

*Obv:* King wears a graceful pearl-bordered cap; legend on l., *Devaśramahārājadhara*, on r., *chandragu*, blurred. *Rev:* Goddess holds noose in r. hand and cornucopiæ in l. Back of the throne visible on r. Legend, *Śravakrama*. (Pl. IV. 6.)

c11.s1.15

(2) Gold; .8"; 120.¹ grains; *B.H.*, Pl. VIII. 11. *Obv:* King’s cap is graceful and the ends of the diadem are flying behind the head. Legend on l. *Devaśramahārājadhara*, on r. *Chandraguptaḥ*. *Rev:* Goddess holds lotus in l. hand, turned up, and a noose in r. No back of the throne visible. Legend *Śrivikramaḥ*. (Pl. IV. 7.)

c11.s1.16

(3) Gold; .75"; 119 grains; *B.H.*, Pl. VIII. 6. *Obv:* Legend, blurred and truncated; on l. *Devaśramahārājadhara*. *Rev:* Goddess holds cornucopiæ in l. hand and is scattering out gold coins by r. Back of the throne visible on r. (Pl. IV. 8.)

c11.s1.17

(4) Gold; .75"; 118.5 grains; *B. H.*, Pl. VIII. 1. *Obv:* King’s cap is graceful. Legend on r. *Devaśramahārā*; on l. *Chandragupta*. *Rev:* R. hand of the goddess is opened out and empty and l. hand holds a lotus. (Pl. IV. 9.)

c11.s1.18

Variety B

c11.s1.19

(*Chandra* between the bow and the bow-string which is inside)¹

c11.s1.20

¹ B. M. C. G. D., Pl. VI. 3-4.

c11.s1.21

(5) Gold; .85"; 119.8 grains (Obv.); 121.9 grains (Rev.); *B. M. C., G. D.*, Pl. VI. 4 and *B.H.*, Pl. VIII. 13. *Obv:* Features of the king are sharp and expressive; his coat has side buttons and is short-sleeved. There is an armlet over l. arm. *Chandra* between the bow and the bow-string, the string being inside. *Rev:* All four legs of the throne are visible. Additional symbol on r. Legend, *Śrīvikramaḥ*. (Pl. IV. 10.)

c11.s1.22

( *Chandra* between the bow and bow-string which is outside)

c11.s1.23

(5) Gold; .8"; 119.4 grains; *B. H.*, Pl. IX. 2. *Obv:* The die of the coin is poor. Circular legend probably begins at VII but is off the flan on l.; on r. *Śra Chandra-gupta*. *Chandra* between the bow and the bow-string which is outside. *Rev:* Goddess holds a noose in r. hand and a lotus in l. which is turned up. No back of the throne is visible. (Pl. IV. 11.)

c11.s1.24

Variety D

c11.s1.25

(*Chandra* outside the bow-string)¹

c11.s1.26

¹ Ibid., VI. 5-6.

c11.s1.27

(7) Gold; .8"; 120.9 grains; *B. M. C., G. D.*, VI. 5. *Obv:* Note the side buttons of the coat on both the sides. The coat has short sleeves. The bow is held by the middle, its string being outside and *Chandra* is written vertically outside it. *Rev:* Goddess has cornucopiæ in l. and noose in r. hand. Legend, *Śrīvikramaḥ*, but truncated. (Pl. IV. 12.)

c11.s1.28

Variety E

c11.s1.29

(Without *Chandra* on obverse)²

c11.s1.30

² *J. A. S. B.*, 1894, p. 168. This coin is only described and not illustrated.

c11.s1.31

(8) Gold; size and weight not recorded. *Obv:* King standing to l. holding bow with string outside, with sword hanging by his side; *Chandra* written vertically not engraved any where. *Rev:* Not described.

c11.s1.32

The obverse of this class is similar to that of Class I, but there are greater variations in the position of the king. He is seen usually wearing a *dhoti* instead of a trouser. The goddess on the reverse is always seated on a lotus. She holds a noose in the right hand and a lotus in the left. The latter is sometimes bent up, sometimes akimbo and sometimes resting upon the thigh. So far no specimens of this class have been found, where the goddess is either scattering coins by the right hand or holding it out empty. We have distinguished 15 varieties in this class. The variety A (Pl. IV. 13-14) shows the king standing to left, with bow held at the top in the left hand and arrow in the right. The name of the king *Chandra* is written under the left arm. The coins of this variety are most common; in the Bayana hoard and Lucknow museum out of 798 and 55 coins of the Archer type, as many as 700 and 42 belong to it. Coins in this variety were issued to three weight standards of 121 grains, 124 grains and 127 grains, but the former is most common. In variety B (Pl. IV. 15; V. 1), which is rather rare, there is a crescent near the *Garuda* standard or above the head of the king. In variety C (Pl. V. 2), we have a *chakra* at the same place. It recalls the *Chakradhvaja* of Kacha. In variety D (Pl. V. 4), the king stands to left, but he is looking to right. This variety follows the weight standard of 121 grains only. Variety E (Pl. V. 3) shows the king with a small whip by his side and variety F (Pl. V. 5) with a sword. Coins of variety E follow all the three weight standards of 121, 124 and 127 grains. But all the coins of the variety F weigh in the vicinity of 127 grains. Variety G (Pl. V. 6) is similar to variety A, but its reverse shows the goddess seated upon a beautiful lotus with her right leg hanging down. The coins of this variety all belong to the 121 grains weight standard. Variety H (Pl. V. 7) differs from variety A in having the legend *Chandragupta* on the reverse instead of the usual one *Srivikramah*. In Variety I, (Pl. V. 8, 11), the king stands to left, but holds the bow in the right hand and the arrow in the left, his name *Chandra* being written not under the left but under the right arm. *Garuda* standard is on the right. Variety J (Pl. V. 9) is similar to variety I, but the king looks to right and has no arrow in the l. hand, which rests on the hip. It may be that the king is shown as holding the bow in the left hand in these two varieties, either because there was a desire to represent the king as ambidextrous or because the artist was merely desirous to produce a different positional effect. The coins of these two varieties all weigh in the vicinity of 120 grains. In variety K, (Pl. V. 10) *Chandra* is written between the bow-string and the bow, which is held at the top in the left hand, and the king is drawing an arrow from a quiver by the right. The quiver stands in the place of the altar of the Standard type and was actually mistaken for one by Mr. Burn, who first published this coin.¹ But Mr. Allan seems to be right in holding that the object under consideration is a quiver; one can see several arrow-heads peeping out of its opening. A quiver, it must be however added, is hardly ever placed on the ground in the way it is shown on this coin. In variety L (Pl. V. 14), the king is looking to right and holding the bow by the middle with string outside, *Chandra* being engraved to the right of the the string. The variety M (Pl. V. 15) is similar to variety L, but the king is looking to left and his name does not at all appear on the obverse under the left arm. The variety N, which has not been illustrated but only referred to,² is similar to variety A, but the name of the king is written outside the arrow near the left margin.

c11.s1.33

¹ *N. Ch.*, 1910, p. 399.

c11.s1.34

² *J. R. A. S.*, 1893,p. 105. This coin was in the Rivett-Carnac collection.

c11.s1.35

It is not quite certain whether we are justified in attributing the coins of the next variety O (Pl. V. 12, 17), to Chandragupta II. It is represented by three coins in the Indian Museum, Nos. 30-32. Of these coins Nos. 31 and 32 are no doubt attributed to Chandragupta II by Smith, but they have no clear legend either on the obverse or on the reverse justifying their attribution to that emperor (Pl. V. 12). On coin No. 30, however, the legend under the king's arm clearly reads *Chandra* (Pl. V. 17), though that on the reverse has not been clearly preserved. The attribution of these coins is a difficult problem. If we assume that Chandragupta II had issued them, one wonders why the *suvarṇa* standard, to which the coins were intended to conform, was not continued for any of his types by Kumāragupta I. All these three coins are in base gold; No. 31 is almost like a copper piece. Gupta treasury was overflowing in the reign of Chandragupta II, and he is not likely to have issued such heavily adulterated gold coins. On the other hand, if we do not attribute these coins to Chandragupta II, we shall have to assign them to a hitherto unknown ruler Chandragupta III, who may have ruled sometime towards the end of the 5th century. Some of the coins (Pl. V. 17) have a peculiar symbol between Garuḍa and the king's head, which occurs on some of the coins of Viṣṇugupta, a late Gupta king.¹ We never get a symbol at this place on the coins of any of the great Gupta emperors. This circumstance may perhaps suggest that the issuer was a person different from Chandragupta II. Until more definite evidence becomes available, we may, however, tentatively assign these coins to Chandragupta II. A solitary coin of his Horseman type in the Bodleian collection also weighs 140·5 grains.² It would appear that he did issue some coins of the *suvarṇa* standard, but later gave up the experiment. Smith had thought that the coins of this variety may have been posthumous issues of Chandragupta II;³ hardly any arguments can be adduced in support of this view. Variety P (Pl. V. 13) is represented by a unique piece in the Prince of Wales Museum, Bombay. It is the same as variety A, but is in the denomination of a half a *dīnāra*, weighing only 57 grains.

c11.s1.36

¹ B. M. C., G. D., p. 145.

c11.s1.37

² J. A. S. B., 1884, p. 183, J. R. A. S., 1893, pp. 105-6.

c11.s1.38

³ I. M. C., I. p. 106.

c11.s1.39

As class II is similar to class I, already described, we do not give here its general description. We proceed to describe its varieties.

c11.s1.40

(Chandra under l. arm) ¹

c11.s1.41

¹ *B. M. C., G. D., Pl. VI-VII.*

c11.s1.42

(9) Gold; .8"; 123.2 grains; *B.H.*, Pl. X. 14.

c11.s1.43

*Obv:* King standing to l. wearing *dhoti*, holding a bow by its top in the left hand and an arrow in the right. The graceful arrangement of the hair on the king's head is noticeable. Garuḍa standard in his front. *Chandra* under l. arm; circular legend, beginning at I, *Devaśrīmahārājādharājaśra*; on r., faint traces of *Chandragupta*.

c11.s1.44

*Rev:* Goddess Lakshmī seated on lotus and holding a noose in r. hand and a lotus in l. resting on the thigh. Symbol on l. Legend, *Śrī-Vikramaḥ*.

c11.s1.45

(Pl. IV. 13.)

c11.s1.46

(10) Gold; .8"; 121.6 grains; *B.H.*, Pl. IX. 7.

c11.s1.47

*Obv:* As above; but king wearing trousers. Legend on r., *Śrī-Chandraguptaḥ*.

c11.s1.48

*Rev:* The l. arm of the goddess is stretched out and is not resting on thigh as on the above coin. Legend, as above, but truncated.

c11.s1.49

(Pl. IV. 14.)

c11.s1.50

Variety B

c11.s1.51

(With crescent)

c11.s1.52

(11) Gold; .85"; 120.6 grains; *B.H.*, Pl. XI. 11 (Obv.) Pl. XII. 2 (Rev.).

c11.s1.53

*Obv:* As above. The king's coat has side buttons and he wears a pearl-bordered cap, having a pearl string hanging behind. Crescent above his head. Legend, on l., *Devāśrama*; on r. traces of *Chandragupta*.

c11.s1.54

*Rev:* As above, but blurred. The l. hand of the goddess rests on her thigh.

c11.s1.55

(12) Gold; .8"; 126.7 grains; *B.M.C., G.D.*, VII. 14. *Obv:* King is wearing *dhoti*. Faint traces of circular legend. Crescent between the head of Garuḍa and that of the king. *Rev:* As above. (Pl. V. 1.)

c11.s1.56

(With *Chakra*)¹

c11.s1.57

¹ *B.M.C., G.D.*, Pl. VII. 15-17; *J.A.S.B.*, 1884, i, Pl. III. 2; *J.R.A.S.*, 1889, Pl. I. 16.

c11.s1.58

(13) Gold; .75"; 131.7 grains; *B.M.C., G.D.*, VII. 15. *Obv:* King's hair is falling is tresses and he is wearing *dhoti*. The staff of the Garuḍa standard is worked on lathe, and there is a *chakra* between Garuḍa and the king. *Rev:* As above. (Pl. V. 2.)

c11.s1.59

Variety D

c11.s1.60

(With king looking to r.)²

c11.s1.61

(14) Gold; .75"; 121.4 grains; *B.H.*, P. XII. 15. *Obv:* King stands to l. but looks to r. His body is bare and markedly muscular. Legend, on l. *Devaśrīmahā-rājādhirājaśra*. *Rev:* L. hand of the goddess stretched out and resting on the knee slightly raised. Lotus seat is artistic. Legend, *Śrī-Vikramaḥ*. (Pl. V. 3.)

c11.s1.62

Variety E

c11.s1.63

(King with whip)

c11.s1.64

(15) Gold; .8"; 126.² grains; *B.H.*, Pl. XII. 2. *Obv:* As above, but a short whip is hanging down from his left side along his left leg. Its leather thong at the end can be distinguished from its rod. *Rev:* As above, but left hand of the goddess is akimbo; lotus in l. hand looks like a cluster of three dots. This side is blurred. (Pl. V. 4.)

c11.s1.65

² *B.M.C., G.D.*, Pl. VII. 18.

c11.s1.66

(King with sword)

c11.s1.67

(16) Gold; .75"; 127.3 grains; *B.H.*, Pl. XII. 3. *Obv:* The king wears a *dhoti* and his sword is hanging from the belt and its hilt can be seen peeping out of the scabbard. Armlets of the king are worth noting and his figure is well proportioned and majestic. *Rev:* As above. Left hand of the goddess rests on the thigh. (Pl. V. 5.)

c11.s1.68

Variety G

c11.s1.69

(Goddess on the reverse seated with one foot hanging down)

c11.s1.70

(17) Gold; .8"; 129.6 grains; *B.H.*, Pl. XII. 8. *Obv:* King is wearing coat and trousers. Legend visible only on r., *Davasramaharajadha*. *Rev:* L. hand of the goddess, holding the lotus, rests at the waist. R. hand holds the noose. Left foot rests on an artistic lotus and the r. one is hanging down. (Pl. V. 6.)

c11.s1.71

Variety H

c11.s1.72

(With *Chandragupta* on reverse)

c11.s1.73

(18) Gold; .8"; 129.6 grains; *B.H.*, Pl. XII. 10. *Obv:* King wearing *dhoti* stands to r. but looks to l.; his body is remarkably muscular. staff of Garuda standard is worked on lathe. Circular legend, at I, *Śri* only is visible. *Rev:* R. hand of the goddess is apparently empty, and there is a peculiar conical object above it. Legend on r. is blurred, but *Chandragupta* is sufficiently distinct on the original.

c11.s1.74

Variety I

c11.s1.75

( *Chandra* under r. arm )

c11.s1.76

(19) Gold; .8"; 121 grains; *N. Ch.*, 1937, Pl. XXXV. 11. *Obv:* King stands to l. and holds bow in r. hand and arrow in l. His body is bare and muscular. *Chandra* is written under the r. arm. Garuḍa standard is on r. Legend on l. blurred and truncated; on r. *ndragu* at IX and *pta* at XI. The bow cuts across the subscript of *ndra*. *Rev:* L. leg of the goddess is slightly raised and the l. hand rests upon it. Legend, *Śri-Vikrama*. (Pl. V. 8; 11.) ¹

c11.s1.77

¹ By an oversight, two photographs of the same coin have been included in this plate. Pl. V. 8 is the same as Pl. V. 11.

c11.s1.78

(20) Gold; .75"; 120.7 grains; *B.H.*, Pl. XII. 12. *Obv:* As above, but Garuḍa standard is blurred. Legend on r. *Deva*; on l. at IX *Chandragu* together and *pta* at XI. (Pl. V. 16.) *Rev:* L. arm extended below and resting upon l. knee. Legend, *Śrivikramaḥ*. (Not illustrated)

c11.s1.79

Variety J

c11.s1.80

( *Chandra* under r. arm and king without arrow ) ²

c11.s1.81

² *J. A. S. B.*, 1884, i, Pl. III. 3; *J. R. A. S.*, 1889, Pl. V. 1.

c11.s1.82

(21) Gold; .7"; 118.4 grains; *B. M. C.*, *G. D.*, VII. 19. *Obv:* As above, but the king inclines on the bow in the r. hand and looks to r. L. hand rests on the hip and holds no arrow. Garuḍa standard on the r. Legend off the flan, but *gu* can be seen at IX.

c11.s1.83

*Rev:* L. hand of the goddess rests upon the thigh.

c11.s1.84

Variety K

c11.s1.85

( *Chandra* between the bow and the bow-string)

c11.s1.86

(22) Gold; .85"; 121.6 grains; *B.M.C., G.D.*, VI. 10.

c11.s1.87

*Obv:* As in variety A, but *Chandra* is written between the bow and the bow-string. King wears *pyjāmā* and short-sleeved coat. In front of him is a quiver and he is picking out an arrow by r. hand.

c11.s1.88

*Rev:* Both hands of the goddess are stretched and raised up and do not touch the thighs. Legend, *Śrī-Vikrama*. (Pl. V. 10.)

c11.s1.89

Variety L

c11.s1.90

( *Chandra* outside the string of the bow held by the middle )¹

c11.s1.91

¹ In February 1953, I saw a sub-variety of this type with a coin dealer, where the king was facing left. The coin was exactly like Pl. IV. 12, but with lotus reverse. Its price demanded was exhorbitant.

c11.s1.92

(23) Gold; .75"; 121.7 grains; *B.H.*, Pl. XIII. 4.

c11.s1.93

*Obv:* King is inclined to left but looking to r. and holds bow by its middle with string outside. *Chandra* is written outside the bow-string. Legend, on l. *Devaśrīmahārājādharājaśrī Chandra*. Some of the letters are truncated; tail of the letter *ndra* can be seen near king's l. leg. (Pl. V. 14.)

c11.s1.94

*Rev:* L. hand of the goddess rests on the thigh. Legend, *Śrī-Vikramaḥ*. (Not illustrated)

c11.s1.95

Variety M

c11.s1.96

( Without *Chandra* under the arm )

c11.s1.97

(24) Gold; .8"; 117. 7 grains; *B.H.*, Pl. XII. 9.

c11.s1.98

*Obv:* King looks to l., and his l. leg is slightly raised. The bow is held by the middle, its back being pressed against the king's waist. Its string is not visible.

c11.s1.99

The usual legend blurred and truncated, *Davaśrama* and the lower portion of *ndra* being visible.

c11.s1.100

*Rev:* Both hands of the goddess stretched out and slightly raised. Lotus has got a very long stalk. Legend blurred. (Not illustrated)

c11.s1.101

Variety N

c11.s1.102

( *Gupta* written outside the arrow on l. )

c11.s1.103

Gold; size and weight not known; *J.R.A.S.*, 1893, p. 105.

c11.s1.104

*Obv:* King holding bow in l. hand and arrow in right, *Gupta* written outside the arrow in l.

c11.s1.105

*Rev:* Not described.

c11.s1.106

N. B.—The photograph of this coin has not been published, nor is its complete description given by Smith.

c11.s1.107

Variety O

c11.s1.108

( Weighing above 140 grains )

c11.s1.109

(25) Gold; .8"; 141.8 grains; *I.M.C.*, I. Pl. XV. 12.

c11.s1.110

*Obv:* King wears *dhoti* and a tailed coat. *Chandra* under l. arm. Circular legend off the flan. A peculiar symbol between Garuḍa and the head of the king. (Pl. V. 17.)

c11.s1.111

*Rev:* Smith states that the legend is apparently *Śri-Vikramaḥ*, but it is not legible. Symbol peculiar. (Not illustrated.)

c11.s1.112

(26) Gold; .8"; 145.8 grains; *I.M.C.*, I. XVIII. 4.

c11.s1.113

*Obv:* King wears *dhoti* and one end of the sash is hanging down. Smith says that the name under the l. arm is indistinct and that there are traces of the usual legend, *Devaśri* etc. The published photograph, reproduced here, shows no legend under the arm. There are hardly any traces of the circular legend also.