Gupta Empire, Samudragupta, c. 335-375, AV dinar, 7.56 g. (21 mm). Obverse: ‘archer’ type; king standing left wearing tunic over smooth loin cloth with a dagger secured in belt, holding a longbow in left hand and arrow in right, prominent Garuda standard at left with crescent above, Brahmi inscription samudra below his left arm, circular Brahmi legend around from 1 o'clock in which the word avaniso replaces the more common sucaritaih. Reverse: goddess Lakshmi enthroned facing, holding diadem and cornucopia, Brahmi inscription at right, apratirathah, tamgha left, dotted border around. Kumar, TOTGE 2024, class II. Raven, SG/group 5.
The archer type of Samudragupta was probably struck early on in his reign and continued the common design of his father Chandragupta I, as suggested by Kumar. The variety is comparatively scarce and Kumar notes that 81 coins have been recorded so far (Kumar, TOTGE 2024, p. 258). This variety also has a very unusual Brahmi inscription on the obverse with the word avaniso. Very rare among archer coins.
About VF.
Ex Chand Collection British Museum no 7.4.06.
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