The Coinage of the Gupta Empire and its Imitations c15.s2.t1: Silver Coins of Western India: Class I
The Coinage of the Gupta Empire and its Imitations c15.s2.t1
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Silver Coins of Western India: Class I
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(With Garuḍa reverse)¹
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¹ B.M.C., G.D., Pl. XX. 3-8.
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*Obv:* Bust of the king to r., as on the silver coins of Chandragupta and Kumāragupta of Class I. Behind the head *varshe* with traces of date. Greek letters like O,U,H, in front of the face.
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*Rev:* Garuḍa standing facing on a wavy line. Cluster of seven dots above to r. O and U, beneath the wavy line; border of dots. Circular legend commencing at II, *Parama*²*bhāgavata-mahārājādhirāja-śrī-Skandagupta-Kramādityaḥ* (Pl. XXV. 13) ‘Overlord of kings, Skandagupta Kramāditya, great devotee of Viṣṇu. On some coins, the legend is defective, only *mahara* or *maharajadha* being engraved instead of *mahārājādhirāja*.
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² On some coins *ma* assumes the form of three dots; see *B.M.C., G.D.*, p. 121, Nos 443-4. These coins have not been illustrated.
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The size of the coins of this class varies between .5" and .55" and the weight between 22 and 33 grains. The average weight is about 30 grains.
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No definite date has been read on these coins. One coin (Pl. XVIII. 6) has the symbol for 100, but the digit following has been but partly preserved.
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COINS ILLUSTRATED : 3
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(1) Silver; ·55"; 27 grains; *B.M.C., G.D.*, Pl. XX. 3. *Obv:* Bust of the king to r.; no Greek letters on the flan; behind the head *varsha* 100. *Rev:* As above described. Legend at III, as given in general description *Kramā*; partly preserved. (Pl. XVIII. 6)
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(2) Silver; ·55"; 31.6 grains; *B.M.C., G.D.*, Pl. XX. 5. *Obv:* O, H, O in front of the face. No traces of date. *Rev:* As above, but *Skandagupta-Kramaditya* very clear. (Pl. XVIII. 7)
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(3) Silver; .5"; 31.2 grains; *B.M.C., G.D.*, Pl. XX. 8. *Obv:* No traces of Greek letters or date. *Rev:* Defective legend (I), *Paramabhagavata-maharaja-śra-Skandagupta-Kramadatya*. (Pl. XVIII. 8)