Lot 2628

Description

Gupta Empire, Samudragupta, (c.A.D. 330-370), gold stater, (7.80 grams), Kacha type, obv. king standing to left, wearing Kushan style coat and trousers, holding a chakradhvaja (a wheel-topped tall standard), with his left hand, sacrificing over altar, Brahmi letters Kacha to his immediate right, poetical legend around, 'Having conquered the earth, Kacha wins the heaven by excellent deeds', rev. goddess Lakshmi nimbate, head to left, standing, holding a cornucopiae and a bouquet of flowers, symbol to left, to right the Brahmi legend Sarvarajochchhetta 'exterminator of all kings', (cf.M.4793, Altekar cf.plate IV, 2, BMC 41-2, [Pl.II, 6-7] from similar dies). Of fine style, weak in places, good very fine and very scarce.

Ex. Spink & Son, Pty. Ltd., London, by private purchase, June 23, 1978. $$ The Kacha type was assigned to an unknown ruler of that name by Altekar, who presumed that Kacha was the immediate successor to Samudragupta, possibly identical with Ramagupta, the brother of Chandragupta II. It is now generally accepted that Kacha is none other than Samudragupta himself. Because of similarity with issues of the Kushan rebel, Magra (the wheel-topped standard being one), the issues are regarded as contemporary with one another, that being c.A.D.350-365.