Lot 2006

Description

Chandragupta II, (c.A.D. 375-414), gold stater, (8.08 grams), Chattra type, BMC Type II, obv. king nimbate, standing to left, wearing Kushan style coat and trousers, casting incense on altar, with left hand on sword hilt, behind him a dwarf attendant, holding chattra (parasol) over him, around 'Kshitim-avajitya sucharitair divan jayati Vikramadityah' (Having conquered the earth, Vikramaditya wins the heaven by his meritorious deeds), rev. goddess Lakshmi nimbate standing to left on pedestal holding fillet in outstretched right hand, and resting left hand on hip, dotted border, to right the Brahmi legend Vikramadityah, (Altekar cf.plate VIII, 9, BMC 106 [Pl.VIII, 6] from very similar dies, cf.M.4819-4820). Edge filed and smoothed, otherwise very fine/fine and a very rare type.

Both obverse and reverse are of fine workmanship. the figures are natural and relaxed, with the faces being distinct and individuated. The dwarf has the typical short legs and muscular upper torso one expects. This example demonstrates the apogee of Gupta numismatic art. A finer example was present in the Dr. Lawrence Brilliant collection in the Spink-Taisei, Singapore sale 9 (lot 120 and realised US $3850). This is the first example of this, one of the rarest types, that we have had the opportunity to sell.