Lot 1179 – Gupta Empire, Chandragupta II, c. 380-413, AV dinar, 7.41 g. Lion slayer with sword

Gupta Empire, Chandragupta II, c. 380-413, AV dinar, 7.41 g. (20 mm). Obverse: ‘lion slayer’ type; king wearing hair tied into a crest, and tunic over loin cloth, in a very dynamic pose to right, wielding sword at retreating lion to right which he presses down with his left foot, circular Brahmi legend around. Reverse: Lakshmi, facing, sitting on lion reclining to left, holding long-stemmed lotus flower in her left hand, and diadem in right, with tamgha to left and Brahmi legend to right, sinhavikramah. Kumar, TOTGE 2024, Class II. Raven, CG2/group 3.
The extremely rare ‘king as swordsman’ type. Kumar notes “only five specimens are known to exist”, TOTGE 2024, p. 336.
VG-F, smooth surfaces, all design elements apparent.
Ex Baldwin’s NY 23, 2010, lot 310
Ex Chand Collection British Museum no 10.1.10.