The Coinage of the Gupta Empire and its Imitations c15.s1.t4: Horseman Type
The Coinage of the Gupta Empire and its Imitations c15.s1.t4
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Horseman Type
c15.s1.t4.1
A coin of the Horseman type in the Bodleian collection weighs 140.5 grains and has the *biruḍa* *Kramādita*. Smith had read the legend as *Kramajita*, but this reading gives no sense, and the third letter, though blurred, looks more like *da* than *ja*; see Pl. XIV. 15; Smith had attributed this coin to Chandragupta II, but this king never bore any epithet other than *Vikrama* or *Vikramāditya*. Whether the standard of 140 grains was current is his reign is very doubtful. It is therefore clear that this coin was not issued by Chandragupta II. *Kramāditya* was a *biruda* of Skandagupta and most probably this type was issued by him. It is true that Ghaṭotkacha also bore this epithet, but is is not certain that he ruled for an appreciable length of time, and therefore it is not likely that he may have issued this Horseman type in addition to the Archer one. Unfortunately the obverse circular legend on this coin is still undeciphered, and we shall have to wait for a better specimen before we can be quite positive about the attribution of this type. Mr. Allan is perhaps indecisive on this point. In his Introduction (p. c) he hesitatingly ascribes this type to Skandagupta but in the body of his *Catalogue*, he does not include this coin among the issues of that ruler.
c15.s1.t4.2
We now describe the coin below.
c15.s1.t4.3
Gold; .8"; 140.5 grains; Bodleian Collection; *N.Chr.*, 1891, Pl. II. 6.
c15.s1.t4.4
*Obv:* King bare-headed, riding on horse to l., not bearing any weapons, sash flowing behind. Circular legend blurred and illegible.
c15.s1.t4.5
*Rev:* Goddess seated on wicker stool facing l., holding a noose in r. hand and lotus with long stalk in the l. Blurred symbol on l.; blurred legend on r., *Kramādita*.
c15.s1.t4.6
(Pl. XIV. 15)