GUPT-08 Click on image for enlargement.

Indian Coins, Gupta. Samudragupta , 335-375 AD, Gold Dinar 7.34 g. 18.7 mm. die-axis 12 o'clock. Asvamedha type.

Obverse: Part of legend around RAJADIRAJAH PRITHIVIMATITVA DIVAMJAYATYAHRITA VAJIMEDHAH in Gupta-Bramhi script, the King of Kings, performer of the Vajimedha (Asvamedha) Sacrifice with heaven after protecting the earth. A beutiful horse standing left, with ribbons and streamers as decoration, tied to a sacrificial post (yupa) on the left. The letter Si (short for siddham), standing on the platform. Denon of cloths flying from the top of the yupa over the horse, minor deposits.

Reverse: ASVAMEDHA PARAKRAMAH in Gupta-Bramhi script, one who has the power to perform the Asvamedha Sacrifice. The cheif queen (Mahisi) with halo around head standing left wearing loose robe and jewelly holding fly-whisk over right shrouder in right hand, left hand hangs by her side; on left is a sacrificial spear bound with fillet, standing on lotus, minor deposits.

          The single character Si is probably short for Siddham a term meaning "success" frequently employed at start of religion donations to indicate the completion of work.



          The coin is die-identical with the specimen in the collection of the National Museum, New Delhi, India. (51.77/9)

          There are several vareities of this type.

          A very rare genuine gold coin of the Gupta Imperial mints, solid gold coin not a filled metal electrotypes / reproductions.