Lot 1248 – Post-Gupta, Jayanaga, c. mid-6th century, AV dinar, 8.99 g. Archer

Post-Gupta, Jayanaga, c. mid-6th century, AV dinar, 8.99 g. (21 mm). Obverse:’archer’ type, king, nimbate, standing facing with head turned left, holding bow and arrow, Garuda standard to left and Brahmi inscription below arm Jaya. Reverse: Lakshmi with halo sitting facing on lotus, holding diadem and lotus flower, with two elephants on either side of goddess and Brahmi inscription to right.

A very rare coin from possibly a minor Gupta ruler for whom we have no documentation as far as we know. The coin is in the style of the imperial Gupta kings with some stylistic variations and clearly a debased gold content. Only very few examples known.

Fine-VF, well-centered, some die cracks on the edge, a thick flan with reasonably well-defined details.

Ex Chand Collection British Museum no 2.6.06.