Lot 2355

Description

Kumaragupta I, (A.D. 414-455), gold stater, (7.32 grams), archer type, BMC Class n, obv. king nimbate, standing to left, wearing Kushan style coat and trousers, holding a bow with string outwards in his left hand, and an arrow in his right hand, the Garuda-topped standard to left, around 'Maharajah Kumaragupta', rev. goddess Lakshmi nimbate seated cross-legged facing on lotus, holding a lotus and a noose, symbol to upper left, to right the Brahmi legend reads 'Sri Mahendrah (a name of Kumaragupta)', (Altekar cf.plate IX, 13, BMC 200 [Pl.XII, 12] from very similar dies, cf.M.4829). Small dumpy flan, otherwise very fine and rare.

Ex. Christie's London, Feb. 2, 1973, (lot 203). $$ Most specimens of the archer type for this ruler have the bow facing outwards and the ruler's name between the bow and his leg. A few and a much rarer issue belongs to the type described above.