The Coinage of the Gupta Empire and its Imitations c7.s1.18

c7.s1.18

The Horseman and the Chhattra types (Pl. VIII) of Chandragupta are the most common ones among his new types. The former probably shows that Chandragupta was famous as a horseman among his contemporaries, and the latter is intended to proclaim the undisputed imperial position of the issuer by showing him as the only ruler entitled to the use of the imperial umbrella. Couch type of Chandragupta (Pl. IX. 1-5), was probably suggested by the Lyrist type of his father. It is not yet possible to interpret it confidently, but the legend rūpākṛiti contained on one coin of this type (Pl. IX. 1) would suggest that the emperor is engaged in seeing a dramatic performance, while seated comfortably on a couch. The King-and-the-Queen-on-the-couch type is known from two pieces only and refers to a homely scene in the life of the busy emperor (Pl. IX. 6). The Chakravikrama type is known at present from a single specimen found in the Bayana hoard. It does not bear the king’s personal name, but the reverse legend Chakravikrama suggests that the issuer was Chandragupta II. The obverse of this type shows Vishnu with a double halo round his face and a mace in his left hand, bestowing some gift upon the king standing nimbate before him and extending his right hand to receive the divine favour (Pl. IX. 8-9).