Lot 2180

Description

Samudragupta, (c.A.D. 330-370), gold stater, (7.648 grams), standard type, obv. king standing to left, wearing Kushan style coat and trousers, holding a tall standard with his left hand, sacrificing over altar, in the field to left is the garudadhvaja, the Garuda-topped standard, Samudra in Brahmi letters to his immediate right, poetical legend around, rev. goddess Lakshmi seated facing on a two leg stool, holding a cornucopiae and a noose, symbol to left, to right the biruda of the king, the Brahmi legend 'Parakramah', (Altekar cf.plate I, 14, BMC 6 [Pl.I, 6] from very similar dies, cf.M.4774). Of fine style, very fine and very scarce.

This is the first type coin struck by the Guptas, and clearly derived its inspiration from the Kushan type of Kanishka II and successors. The tridents are transformed into a plain standard and the Garuda-standard. Ardoksho enthroned becomes Lakshmi enthroned, whose adjuncts, the noose and cornucopiae identify her image. The engraver in most Gupta coins always gave the obverse his greatest attention with his skill, for both its composition and style, but the reverse was less important and generally of poorer style.