Lot 1884

Description

Gupta, Kumaragupta I, (A.D. 414-455), gold stater, (7.9 grams), horseman type, BMC Class II, 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 and feeding a peacock from a bunch of fruit, to right, the Brahmi legend 'Ajitavikramah (he whose prowess is unsurpassed)', (Altekar cf.plate XI, 9, BMC 212 [Pl.XIII, 8] from very similar dies, cf.M.4836-9). Small dumpy flan, otherwise good 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.