The Age of the Imperial Guptas c10.21.2

c10.21.2

On the reverse the figure of the sitting goddess gives place to a standing figure of Gaṅgā standing on her *Vāhana*, a Makara and the legend on the right is *Rājā Samudraguptaḥ*.¹ The second freak type is the Lyrist. “King seated, nimbate, cross-legged to *l.*, wearing waistcloth, close-fitting cap, necklace, ear-rings, and armlets, on high-backed couch, playing lyre or lute (*vīṇā*) which lies on his knees; beneath couch is a pedestal or footstool inscribed (*si*).” In this case also there is no king’s name under the left arm but it is given as a circular legend *Mahārājādhirāja-Śrī-Samudraguptaḥ*². On the reverse we come across, once more, the figure of the seated goddess facing the left, on a wicker stool and the name of the king is given once more in a vertical line to the right, *Samudraguptaḥ*. The third class of coins of this type is the *Aśvamedha*: “Obverse: horse standing *l.*, before a sacrificial post (*Yūpa*), from which pennons fly over its back; on some specimens a low pedestal below. Beneath horse (*si*).” There is a long circular legend on the obverse: *Rājādhirājaḥ Pṛthivīm-avitvā divaṃ jayaty-aprati-vāryavīryaḥ*. The reverse shows “The chief queen (Mahiṣī) standing *l.*, wearing loose robe and jewellery, holding chowrie over *r.* shoulder in *r.* hand, *l.* hangs by her side; on *l.* is a sacrificial spear bound with fillet; around her feet a chain (?) extending round spear and on some specimens gourd (?) at feet.