The Coinage of the Gupta Empire and its Imitations c15.s2.t3: Class IV: Madhyadeśa Type

The Coinage of the Gupta Empire and its Imitations c15.s2.t3

Language: English

Class IV: Madhyadeśa Type

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The coins of this type show the fan-tailed peacock on the reverse, first introduced by Kumāragupta. The features of the king on the obverse are similar to those of his father on this class. His nose is flat and there are no moustaches. The coins of this class are larger in size and better in execution than those of the classes I to III prevailing in Western India. The normal weight varies between 30 and 32 grains, though some pieces are as heavy as 36.7 grains and others as light as 26.5 grains. The date is given in front of the face; the dates so far read are 144; 145, 146 and 148 G. E., corresponding to 463, 464, 465, and 467 A.D.

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Two varieties are distinguished in this class; in variety A the legend is *Vijitāvaniravanipatir-jayati divam Skandaguptoyam* (Pl. XXVI. 18); in variety B, *Vijitavaniravanipatis Śrī-Skandagupto divam jayati* (Pl. XXVI. 17).

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COINS ILLUSTRATED : 5

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Variety A

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(Legend ending with *Skandaguptoyam*)

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(1) Silver; .6"; 32.1 grains; *B.M.C., G.D.*, Pl. XXI. 14. *Obv:* Bust of the king to r.; in front, date in numerals arranged perpendicularly, 100, 40, 4.

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*Rev:* Fan-tailed peacock; legend (XI) *Vijitāvaniravanapata (jayata divam Ska)ndaguptoyam*.

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(2) Silver; .6"; 34.8 grains; *B.M.C., G.D.*, Pl. XXI. 16. *Obv:* As above; date 100, 40, 8. *Rev:* Legend (XII), *Vajatavanaravanapatirjayata dava Skandaguptaya*. (Pl. XVIII. 20)

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(Legend ending with *divam jayati*)

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(3) Silver; .55"; 31.2 grains; *B.M.C., G.D.*, Pl. XXI. 20. *Obv:* Bust entire, but date numerals truncated. 100, 40. *Rev:* Legend blurred, from IX, *divam jayati*. (Pl. XVIII. 21)

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(4) Silver; .55"; 33.5 grains; *B.M.C., G.D.*, Pl.XXI.21. *Obv:* Eyes very prominent, nose slightly crooked; date blurred, 100, 40. *Rev:* Legend (XII) *Vijatavanaravanpata śra-Skandagupto divam jayati*; letters between I and V blurred and truncated. (Pl. XVIII. 22)

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N.B. The fabric of this and the next coin is different from that of the last one,

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(5) Silver; .55"; 36 grains; *B.M.C., G.D.*, Pl. XXI. 22. *Obv:* As above; date off the flan. *Rev:* Legend (XII), *Vi(jatava)naravana(pata) śra Skandagupta dava jayati*. (Pl. XVIII. 23)