Lot 5

Ancient, Guptas of Magadha, Devagupta (c. 7th Century AD), Madyadesha type, Silver Dramma, 2.40 gms, 14.10 mm, Obverse: Artistic bust of king to right, Reverse: Peacockin profile at centre with wings spread, Brahmi legend around from 11 O clock position reading clockwise as ‘VijitaVaniravanapatiSri DevaguptaDivam(Jaya)ti’, Dotted border around, Around the 6th Century AD, another Gupta dynasty appeared in the Magadha region and they are popularly identified as the Guptas of Magadha. Thaplyalhas provided a genealogy for these rulers, starting from Krishnagupta. The source of this genealogy is the Aphsad inscription of Adityasena.During the reign of the great Harshavardhana, the Gupta rulers of Magadha ruled as his vassal. Deva gupta belonged to the Gupta rulers of Magadha lineage. He appears to have issued silver coins in the same typology as the Madhyadesha series issued by the imperial Gupta rulers Kumaragupta I and Skandagupta, Pieper # 3713, pg. 622, very fine, extremely rare.