Lot 3862

Description

Kumaragupta I, (A.D. 414-455), gold stater, (7.642 grams), horseman type, BMC Class I, obv. king nimbate, with long locks, mounted on horse, prancing to right, Bahmi script around, 'The unconquered Mahendra, invincible, the moon in the sky of the Gupta line, the victorious', rev. goddess Lakshmi nimbate seated on wicker stool, to left, holding a lotus, to right, the Brahmi legend 'Ajitavikramah (he whose prowess is unsurpassed)', (Altekar Bayana hoard cf.plate XIV, 13, BMC 209 [Pl.XIII, 5] from very similar dies, cf.M.4838). Larger flan than usual, very fine and rare.

The horseman type was introduced by Chandragupta II, and became the favourite type of Kumaragupta I. Two types were introduced on the reverse. In class I she holds a lotus and sometimes a noose. In class II she feeds grapes to a peacock.