The Coinage of the Gupta Empire and its Imitations c16.s8.2

c16.s8.2

King Prakāśāditya issued coins only in gold. His type is interesting and original. It shows the emperor riding a horse and attacking a lion; it may be therefore called Horseman-Lion-slayer type. It reminds one of the Rhinoceros-slayer type of Kumāragupta I, where the emperor is shown attacking the beast from the horseback. The position of the Garuḍa standard on the obverse, which is seen to right just above the horse's head, is also unusual. The king is seen sometimes stooping down to reach the lion; sometimes he is shown erect. In some cases, we can see the sword being thrust right into the gaping mouth of the lion (Pl. XV. 14). All the known coins of this type are struck to the suvarṇa standard; only one piece B.M.C., G.D. No. 556 is known to be weighing 136 grains; it may be a worn out coin. The coins of Prakāśāditya have nearly the same alloy as those of Skandagupta and Budhagupta, viz 23%.¹