The Coinage of the Gupta Empire and its Imitations c17.s2.12

c17.s2.12

Before we proceed to make our remarks about metrology of the coins of individual rulers, we have to consider the case of some Gupta coins of abnormally low weight, with which we come across almost in every reign. These coins weigh between 95 and 110 grains and many of them are quite in good condition, showing no trace of any use and wear. They could hardly have lost a couple of grains due to the letter cause. The Bayana hoard contained about 12 such coins, e.g. Nos. 48, 55, 89, 108, 138, 150, 184, 186, 196, 579, etc. The British Museum has also got a few specimens of this light variety, e. g. Nos. 5, 34, etc. It is not easy to explain the abnormally low weight of these coins. The weight of some of them would be 4/5 of the normal gold coin. But we have usually a half or a quarter denomination, but never a four-fifth denomination.