Gupta Empire, Samudragupta, c. 335-375, AV dinar, 6.50 g. (20 mm). Obverse: ‘javelin’ type; king wearing royal tunic and diadem standing, holding javelin with spearhead pointed down and sacrificing at altar, with Garuda standard with top visible in left field, Brahmi samudra below his left arm, circular Brahmi legend around beginning at 1 o’clock. Reverse: goddess Lakshmi enthroned with back of throne visible, with halo, holding diadem and cornucopia, Brahmi inscription at right, parakramah, tamgha left, dotted border around. Kumar, TOTGE 2024, Class II, variety A7. Raven, SG/group 6.
With an unusually low weight of 6.50 g., this coin exemplifies Kumar’s conclusion that a “substantial variation in weight is characteristic of Gupta gold coins”. He notes specifically the Samudragupta I javelin type (Kumar TOTGE 2024, p. 174). Only the weight seems anomalous for this coin; style and iconography as expected.
About VF, good details, reverse struck slightly off-center.
Ex Chand Collection British Museum no 3.1.34.
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