The Coinage of the Gupta Empire and its Imitations c11.s9.4

c11.s9.4

Silver coins of Chandragupta (Pl. XVI. 3-6) are, as was but natural, a fairly close copy of the Kshatrapa silver issues current in Western India; they are illustrated on Pl. XVI. 1-2. Their size, which varies from .5" to .55" and their weight which is usually between 26.5 and 31 grains, closely correspond with those of the coins of the later Kshatrapas. On the obverse the king's bust is closely modelled on that of the Kshatrapa prototype, having a collar, a prominent nose, and long hair and moustaches. The traces of the corrupt Greek legend are allowed to continue (Pl. XVI. 6). The date, when given, is engraved behind the king's head as on the Kshatrapa coins (Pl. XVI. 2); only the Saka era is replaced by the Gupta one.¹