Lot 1247 – Post-Gupta, Samacharadeva, c. 6th – 8th century, AV dinar, 9.37 g. Archer

Post-Gupta, Samacharadeva, c. 6th – 8th century, AV dinar, 9.37 g. (20 mm). Obverse: ‘archer’ type, king nimbate standing facing to left, holding bow in left hand and arrow in right, with bull standard to left, Brahmi legend below arm. Reverse: goddess Lakshmi, nimbate,m seated facing on lotus, holding diadem and lotus flower, with Brahmi legend to right, Sri Narendravinata. Kumar, TOTGE 2024, 18.4.1.

A coin from the post-Gupta epoch of the highest rarity. A similar type sold at Numismatica Ars Classica, 117, 2019, lot 252 (hammer 13000 CHF), with a note that “apparently only four specimens are known of which only two are in private hands”. However Sanjeev Kumar has informed us that 7 examples sit in private collections. Truly a highlight of post-Gupta coinage.

About EF as struck, some lustre shows through, high relief, with three die cracks

Ex Chand Collection British Museum no 2.6.01