The Coinage of the Gupta Empire and its Imitations c9.s6.12

c9.s6.12

There are some indications to show that the coins of the variety A were struck at the capital. Majority of them were found in Oudh and Banaras and the letter *ha* is engraved upon them in the eastern variety. Most of the coins of the variety B were found in outlying places of the empire, one in Alwar, four in Bayana and one in Bamnala (Central India). The letter *ma* on them shows the form of the western variety. These however are not convincing arguments. Gold coins easily travel long distances and the indications of the eastern and western forms of letters are not conclusive. On some Standard coins of Samudragupta, we have already seen how both the eastern and western forms of *ma* appear on the same piece. It is however not unlikely that the coins of the variety B were issued from mints in outlying provinces and those of the variety A from the mint in the capital. Good artists could be more easily procured for the latter than the former.