The Coinage of the Gupta Empire and its Imitations c11.s2.10

c11.s2.10

In varieties H and I the mount of the goddess is walking to left and right respectively. There are however a number of further peculiarities worth noting. Thus in variety H (Pl. VI. 14-15, VII. 1), on some coins the goddess is facing left, as does her walking mount (Pl. VI. 15; VII. 1), but in others she sits facing, but looks to left (Pl. VI. 14). Her legs are usually folded but in one case, one of them (Pl. VII. 1) is dangling down over the head of her mount. She holds a noose in the right hand and a lotus in the left in all cases. The coins of the variety I (Pl. VII. 2-3), are large in size and would rank among the best specimens of the numismatic art. The grim determination and tense action of the king engaged in the deadly game are successfully portrayed by the artist. The lion on the reverse is walking to right, but the goddess sits to front with her legs folded, sometimes looking to right (Pl. VII. 3) and sometimes to front (Pl. VII. 2).