The Coinage of the Gupta Empire and its Imitations c8.22

c8.22

Mr. Allan’s argument, however, is not convincing. There is no doubt that the Standard type of Samudragupta is a closer imitation of the prototype than the King-and-the-Queen type of Chandragupta I. But the relative closeness to the prototype does not necessarily prove that the type in question is chronologically earlier than another, which shows lesser imitation of the original. For instance, some of the coins of the Archer type of Chandragupta II (Pl. IV. 8) show greater imitation of the Kushāṇa prototype on the reverse than the Chandragupta-Kumāradevī type, as designated by Mr. Allan; for the goddess is seated there on a high-backed throne. Are we to suppose that some varieties of the Archer type of Chandragupta II are earlier than the so-called commemorative medal type of his father Samudragupta? Skandagupta’s Archer type shows the king wearing Kushāṇa coat and trousers (Pl. XIV. 8-11). Is it then to be regarded as chronologically earlier than those coins of the Archer type of Chandragupta II where the king is wearing a dhotī?