The Coinage of the Gupta Empire and its Imitations c7.5

c7.5

Not only do we have a multiplicity of types, but each type shows a surprising number of varieties. Archer type was the most common type of Chandragupta II in which hundreds of coins were issued, but how bewildering is the variety we see in it! Sometimes the name of the king, *Chandra*, is written under the arm (Pl. IV. 6-9), sometimes between the bow and the bowstring (Pl. IV. 10-11), sometimes outside the string (Pl. IV. 12). Sometimes the bow is held in the right and sometimes in the left hand (Pl. IV. 6-15; Pl. V. 11), sometimes at the top and sometimes by the middle (Pl. IV. 6-11; 12). Sometimes the king faces left and looks to left, sometimes he faces left but looks to right (Pl. IV. 6-15; V. 9, 14). How studied and artistic is this pleasing variety! We find it occurring on the reverse side also. Take, for instance, the Lion-slayer type. The goddess on the reverse is seated facing on the lion couchant sometimes to left and sometimes to right (Pl. VI. 1-5; XII. 3), but sometimes she is seated astride her mount (Pl. VI. 8). In some cases the lion is walking to left (Pl. VI. 14), and in some cases to right (Pl. VI. 9-10).