The Coinage of the Gupta Empire and its Imitations c9.s3.7

c9.s3.7

The coins of this type are divided into two classes,—class I having the king looking left and the attendant to the right (Pl. II. 16, III. 1-5) and class II being *vice versa* (Pl. II. 15, 17.). The coins of the latter class are very rare. In class I, several varieties may be distinguished. In variety A, which is most common, the name of the king *Samudra* is written under his left arm (Pl. II. 16, III. 1). In variety B, *Kṛi* is substituted for *Samudra* (Pl. III. 2); it is obviously an abbreviation of *Kṛitāntaparaśu*. In variety C, we have the full name of the king *Samudragupta*, *Samudra* being written between the king and the attendant and *gupta* under his left arm (Pl. III. 4). The goddess on the reverse holds a lotus bud in the left hand. In variety D, *Samudra* is written under the king's left arm and *gupta* outside the staff of the battle-axe (Pl. III. 3). Coins of the varieties B, C and D are rare.