Lot 1090 – Gupta Empire, Chandragupta I, c. 319-335, AV dinar, 7.83 g. Archer

Gupta Empire, Chandragupta I, c. 319-335, AV dinar, 7.83 g. (19 mm). Obverse: ‘archer’ type; king standing left, wearing an ornate cap with diadem and tunic over trousers and loin cloth, holding an Indian longbow in left hand and an arrow in right, Garuda standard at left, Brahmi legend left of bow, chandra. Reverse: Lakshmi seated on throne, holding diadem and cornucopia, Brahmi legend at right, srivikrama, tamgha left, dotted border around. Kumar, TOTGE 2024, Class I. Raven, CG2/group 1.

A rare early archer type of Chandragupta I (attributed by Raven to Candragupta II); Kumar notes that 138 coins are known of this early archer type, which bears strong resemblance to preceding Kushan coinage, in the king’s tunic and cap (Kumar, TOTGE 2024, p. 215).

EF, sharp appearance, well struck with strong details, lustrous.

Ex Chand Collection British Museum no 3.1.36.