The Coinage of the Gupta Empire and its Imitations c16.s5.t1: Silver Coinage of Budhagupta
The Coinage of the Gupta Empire and its Imitations c16.s5.t1
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Silver Coinage of Budhagupta
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The silver coinage, which was in abeyance during the reigns of Purugupta, Narasiṃhagupta and Kumāragupta II, was resumed by Budhagupta. He is seen issuing coins only in the Madhyadeśa type. No coins of his of any of the Western Indian types have so far come to light. Most probably the Guptas had lost their control over Western Provinces by this time. It is true that the Valabhi ruler Droṇasiṃha, who was coronated in the last quarter of the 5th century, is described as being installed by the sole lord of the circumference of the whole earth, who had personally come for that purpose. It seems most probable that this sole lord of the whole earth is most likely the emperor Budhagupta. The invitation that was extended to him on this occasion, however, appears to be due to the prestige that the Guptas were still enjoying in the former provinces of their empire. It appears very doubtful whether Budhagupta had any effective control over Mālwā, Gujarat and Kathiawar at any period of his reign. The absence of his silver coins of any of the Western Indian types appears to be significant.
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The Madhyadeśa type of Budhagupta is exactly similar to that of Kumāragupta or Skandagupta. The features of the face are slightly different; the nose is aquiline. The date is given in front in numerals. There are no traces of any Greek letters. The reverse shows the device of the fan-tailed peacock and the legend is *Vijitāvaniravanipatiḥ-śri-Budhagupto divam jayati* (Pl. XXVI. 20). ‘Budhagupta, who has conquered the earth, wins heaven.’
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The average size of the coins is .55" and weight 33 grains. One specimen, however, weighs 38.5 grains.
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Only six silver coins of Budhagupta have been found so far. Five of them were procured by Cunningham at Banaras in 1835 and the sixth was obtained later by the same archæologist at Sarnath. All the Banaras coins were dated in 175. The date 180 has been read on the sixth piece, but the so-called symbol for 80 is doubtful.¹
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¹ *I.A.*, XVIII, p. 227.
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COINS ILLUSTRATAD : 4
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(1) Silver; .55"; 38.3 grains; *B.M.C.,G.D.*, Pl.XXIV.13. *Obv:* Bust of the king to r.; date in front in symbols inscribed perpendicularly, 100,70,5, rather blurred. *Rev:* Fan-tailed peacock with neck to .; circular legend blurred; (XII) *Vijitavanaravanapata-śra-Budhagupto divam jayata*. Letters Budhagupto are clear from VII onwards. (Pl. XVIII. 26)
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(2) Silver; .55"; 33.6 grains; *B.M.C.,G.D.*, Pl.XXIV.14. *Obv:* As above, but date off the flan. *Rev:* As above; legend, blurred, but more distinct on the r. side; *Vijatavaniravanpata-śrī-Budhagupto diva jayati*. (Pl. XVIII. 28)
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(3) Silver; .55"; 35 grains; *C.A.S.R*, Vol. IX, Pl. V. 13. *Obv:* As above, but date very distinct, 100, 70, 5. *Rev:* As above. (Pl. XVIII. 27)
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(4) Silver; .55"; 33.8 grains; *B.M.C. G.D.*, Pl.XXIV.15. *Obv:* King’s features resemble the Kshatrapa ones to some extent.
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² *B.M.C.*, *G.D.*, Pl. XXIV. 13-15; *C.A.S.R.*, Vol. IX, Pl. V. 13. *J.R.A.S.*, (O.S.), Vol. XI, Pl. II. 54-7.
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Rev: Legend, ........pata-śri-Budhagupta dava ja(yati).