Lot 1233 – Gupta Empire, Chandragupta IV, c. after 470, AV dinar, 8.67 g. Archer

Gupta Empire, Chandragupta IV, c. after 470, AV dinar, 8.67 g. (19 mm). Obverse: ‘archer’ type, king with long, stacked curls wearing pleated loin cloth, standing to left, holding longbow in left hand and an arrow in right, Garuda standard in left field and ‘altar symbol’ between king and Garuda, Brahmi legend Chandra below king’s left arm. Reverse: Lakshmi with halo sitting on seven-petaled lotus, holding diadem and lotus flower, tamgha to left, Brahmi legend right srivikkramah. Kumar, TOTGE 2024, variety A. Raven, CG3/group 3.

This very rare type is characterised by having a fire altar in the top left quadrant. Kumar attributes this coin to Chandragupta IV (TOTGE 2024, p. 484) and he notes 18 coins recorded (p. 484). The precise attribution remains contested, and it is possible that a more likely attribution should be to Chandragupta III (and the weight of 8.67 g. does not suggest a date after Skandagupta in whose reign the standard weight rose to 9.2 g.). We follow Kumar in attributing to Chandragupta IV, for whom no written documents have been recorded to our knowledge, and note that Raven ascribes this coin to Chandragupta III.

A similar type sold at Heritage World Coin Auctions, Showcase 61353, 2023, lot 21042 (hammer 4800 USD).

EF-AU, well struck with sharp details, lustrous.

Ex Chand Collection British Museum no 1.12.01.