Lot 1240 – Gupta Empire, Kumaragupta III, c. 530, AV dinar, 9.48 g. Archer

Gupta Empire, Kumaragupta III, c. 530, AV dinar, 9.48 g. (21 mm). Obverse: ‘archer’ type, king with stacked curls wearing tailed tunic (no longer evident except for vestigial tail near banner), standing left, holding longbow in left hand, arrow in right, Garuda standard at left, Brahmi legend ku below left arm, and perhaps Brahmi gu or gre between king’s feet. Reverse: Lakshmi seated with folded legs, facing on lotus, holding diadem and long-stemmed lotus left, Brahmi legend to right srikramadityah, dotted border around. Raven, KG3/group 3.

A very rare coin of heavy weight minted during the reign of Kumaragupta III, the son of Narasimhagupta. Kumar, TOTGE 2024, notes 38 coins recorded.

VF, well centred, top of the king’s head struck marginally off flan, otherwise the features are well defined and this coin is attractive for preserving all the essentials of the designs, including fully legible reverse legend.

Ex Chand Collection British Museum no 4.99.80.