The Coinage of the Gupta Empire and its Imitations c11.s7.16

c11.s7.16

The point however can be finally settled when we get more historical and numismatic evidence to decide it. For the present, I am inclined to attribute this unique coin to Chandragupta II rather than to Chandragupta I. There is no definite independent evidence yet forthcoming that the title *Paramabhāgavata* was actually adopted by any predecessor of Chandragupta II; the Gayā and Nālandā plates are forgeries and it is well-known how forgers often transfer the epithets and titles of one king to another. In the Allahabad pillar inscription Samudragupta is not described as *Paramabhāgavata*. There is no evidence yet forthcoming to show that Kumāradevī had predeceased her husband, rendering the abandonment of the King-and-the-Queen type a practical proposition for Chandragupta I. Chandragupta II did issue some coins where the Standard type was continued, as is shown by the King-and-the-Queen-on-the-Couch type. It is therefore quite likely that he may have for some time given a trial to the Standard type, so popular with his father, before deciding to discontinue it.