Lot 31

Ancient, Guptas, Samudragupta (335-375 AD), Gold Dinar, 7.70 gms, 17.26 mm, Obv: King standing facing with head in profile, a halo around the head, large earrings, wearing tunic, holding a ribboned 'Chakra' standard (Chakradhvaja) in left arm, offering sacrifice at an altar at left with his extended right arm, Brahmi legend ‘Kachha’ under the king's left arm,Traces of Brahmi legend ‘KachoGamavajityaDyamKaramabhirUttamair Jayati’ around, Rev: Goddess Lakshmi (Ardoksho) standing facing with head in profile, holding a cornucopia and a lotus stem, Brahmi legend ‘Sarvvarayochhettah’ in right field, a Tamgha in left field, The name ‘Kachha’ is enigmatic in Gupta history. This name does not appear in Gupta dynasty’s official royal genealogies and inscriptions, making his exact recognition a challenge. However, his surviving coins offer rare insights of his possible identity. The title ‘Sarvarajochhettah’ (exterminator of all kings) appearing on the reverse of his coins is also seen in. Samudragupta’s Allahabad Prashasti inscription prompting scholars to assign the ‘Kachha’ type issues to Samudragupta. Alternately, based on a unique copper coin with legend ‘Ramagupta’ on one side and ‘Kachha’ on the other, S. Gupta arguesthat ‘Kachha’ type coins may have been issued by Ramagupta, the elder brother of Chandragupta II. It is also interesting to observe in ‘Kaccha’ type coins that some do not have the typical Gupta royal insignia of Garudadhvaja (S. Gupta, TOTGE,Class A, pg. 289) where as others have (S. Gupta, TOTGE, Class B). The coin being offered here is an exceptionally rare variety under Class A, being offered only for the second time in an auction (first offered in 2015 in CNG India, Auction 22, Lot 51). The significance of this variety lies in its chronological position as a transitional coin type between Class A and Class B.While the obverse of the coin shows characteristics of Class A (i.e. absence of Garudadhvaja), the Tamgha design on the reverse of the coin is typically seen in Class B coins. Additionally, the epithet on the reverse readsas ‘Sarvvarayochhettah’ (‘rayo’ instead of the usual ‘rajo’ seen in Class A coins). Reference # S. Gupta, TOTGE (2nd Ed), pg. 289, Class I, Variety A.3, very fine, exceptionally rare.