Lot 2664

Description

Gupta, Samudragupta, (c.A.D. 330-370), gold stater, (7.55 grams), Lyrist type, obv. king, nimbate, clothed in the dhoti, seated to left, on an upholstered couch, his right foot tucked beneath him, his left arm resting on a footstool in front of the couch, he holds a lute in his left hand, which he plays with his right, the couch rests on four knobbed legs and has a tall back, Brahmi legend around of Samudragupta full titles, 'Maharajah Samudragupta', rev. goddess Lakshmi nimbate, to left, seated on wicker stool, holding a cornucopiae and a noose, tall standard behind, to right the Brahmi legend 'Samudragupta', (Altekar cf.plate III, 15, BMC 50, [Pl.V, 1] from similar dies, M.4788 same dies). Of finest style, round, nearly extremely fine and very rare.

Ex. Spink & Son, Pty. Ltd., London, by private purchase, June 23, 1978 and Noble Numismatics sale 49 (lot 2350 and sold at $8400 + 10%). The Lyrist type is quite unique among Indian coins, it has the finest portrait used on all 2500 years of Indian coinage. The type successfully presents a pleasing and elegant coin of very fine style, which is placed in a natural perspective within the coin, and it also confirms the testimony of the Allahabad inscription of that monarch's musical skill. This well centred example is one with almost full legends and full designs. The reverse has a similarity with the figure of Apollo seated on the omphalos of the early Seleucid coinage. The above example is of the BMC class assigned to an eastern mint which is also struck on a broad flan. Allan regards the type as following the Kacha type and explains (p.lxxvi) that the issue may commemorate or be linked to Samudragupta's Asvamedha (or horse) sacrifice during which ceremony a Rajanja lute-player, sang three gathas composed by the king. The song told of the sacrificer's valour in battle and his victories. It is more probable however, that that the type represents the monarch at his favourite amusement.