The Coinage of the Gupta Empire and its Imitations c11.s10.t3: Bust Type

The Coinage of the Gupta Empire and its Imitations c11.s10.t3

Language: English

Bust Type

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¹ *B.M.C., G.D.*, Pl. X. 22; *J.A.S.B.* 1894, i, pp. 173-4; Pl. VI. XI.; *C.M.I.*, p. 15, Pl. II. 8.

(6) Copper; .9"; 87 grains; *B.M.C., G.D.*, Pl. X. 22. *Obv:* Bust of king to l. wearing necklace, ear-rings and armlets and holding flower in uplifted r. hand. *Rev:* In the upper half Garuḍa, nimbate, standing facing with outstretched wings. In the lower half, legend probably *Mahārāja-Chandraguptaḥ* but quite illegible. (Pl. XVI. 13)

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One of the two known coins of variety A was found at Ahichchhatrā and the other in Jhelam district. The obverse appears to be in imitation of the gold coins of Huvishka, where we have a bust of the king holding an ear of corn in his hand. Cunningham’s view that the obverse is that of a female is untenable.

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Copper coins do not travel long and the findspot of some coins of this and the next variety of this class would tend to show that the South-Eastern Punjab was included in Chandragupta’s dominions.

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( Small size )¹

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¹ *B.M.C., G.D.*, XI, 10; *J.A.S.B.*, 1889, p. 140, Pl. IV. 2; *P.E.*, Pl. XXX. 13.

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(7) Copper; .75"; 44 grains; *B.M.C., G.D.*, Pl. XI. 10. *Obv*: As in variety A, but bust is half-length and in the upper half of the coin only; legend, *Śrī-Vikramāditya* is in the lower half; last letter is off the flan on this specimen. *Rev*: In the upper half, Garuḍa as in variety A. In the lower half, *Śrī-Chandraguptaḥ*., only first two letters being visible on this specimen. (Pl. XVI. 14)

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Only three coins of this class have been so far noticed; the weights of only two of them are recorded. They are 40.5 and 44 grains respectively. Two of the coins belonged to the Stacy and Swiney collections and may therefore be presumed to have been obtained from the Punjab.

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The breasts of the bust on the coin in the Stacy collections are very prominent; this circumstance induced Thomas to state that it was that of a female. The usual numismatic practice makes it clear, however, that the bust should be that of the king.

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Variety C

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(No legend on obverse)²

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² *B.M.C., G.D.*, Pl. XI. 11; *J.R.A.S.*, 1889, p. 140; Pl. IV. 13.

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(8) Copper; .6"; 40.5 grains; *B.M.C., G.D.*, Pl. XI. 11. *Obv*: Bust of king as above, but without any legend below. *Rev*: Garuḍa as above, but standing on an altar and holding a snake in his mouth; border of dots. Legend *Chandragupta(ḥ)*. (Pl. XVI. 15)

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Variety D (As above, but no altar for Garuḍa)¹

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¹ *B.M.C., G.D.*, Pl. XI. 12; *P.E.*, Pl. XXX. 15.

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(9) Copper; .65"; 27 grains; *B.M.C., G.D.*, Pl. XI. 12. *Obv:* As above. *Rev:* As above, but no altar under Garuḍa. Legend [*Śri-Cha*]ndragu(*pta*). (Pl. XVI. 16)

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Variety E (King without flower)²

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(10) Copper; .55"; 28 grains; *B.M.C., G.D.*, Pl. XI. 14. *Obv:* As above, but king has no flower. *Rev:* Garuḍa indistinct and almost off the flan; below, Chandraguptaḥ. (Pl. XVI. 17)

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This is the most common type of the copper coins of Chandragupta II. On smaller coins, there is only the head instead of the bust. The size and weight of the coins of this variety vary from .35" to .55" and 4.² to 28 grains. Most of the coins of this type are very poorly preserved and their weight so gradually varying that it is difficult to determine the denominations. Five coins of this variety were found in Kumrahar excavations, 1951-4.

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² *B.M.C., G.D.*, Pl. XI. 13-19; *J.R.A.S.*, 1889, pp. 141-2, Pl. IV. 14.