Lot 10152 – Gupta Empire, Kumaragupta, c. 415-455, Apratigha, AV dinar, 7.77 g.

Gupta Empire, Kumaragupta, c. 415-455, AV dinar, 7.77 g. (18 mm). Obverse: ‘Apratigha’ type, king standing facing, hands folded at the waist. In right field, a female figure standing left, in left field, a male figure standing holding in right hand a Garuda standard, crescent above king, Brahmi legend around. Reverse: goddess Lakshmi, nimbate, seated facing on lotus, left hand on waist and holding lotus in right, tamgha to left, above crescent, Brahmi legend at right, Apratigha. Kumar TOTGE 2024, variety A (with crescent on obverse and reverse), 564 (this coin illustrated).

VF details, well-defined features; small test cut on the reverse edge at 5 o’clock; rim filing about 6 mm long on the reverse at 3 o’clock.

A coin of the highest rarity. Coinarchives lists another similar coin sold by Numismatica Ars Classica, auction 117, 2019, lot 239 (hammer 85.000 CHF). An article in Coinweek (Nov. 19 2019) noted that the coin is known in 17 examples only, with 11 in museums. (https://coinweek.com/coinweek-ancient-coin-series-coinage-of-the-guptas/). Kumar notes 18 coins existing, with only 7 in private collections.

Ex Chand Collection 2.3.13