This Type of Coin is one of the rarest coins in the Gupta Numismatics. The Bayana Hoard did not reveal even a single specimen of this Type.
Bharat Kala Bhavan at the Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi has one specimen. The BKB specimen is similar to the Class II specimen from the Shivlee Collection shown below.
Other than BKB coin, the only other coin known of this type is the Coin in the National Museum, New Delhi, India.
After from the two coins in the Museums, the only two specimens in a private collection ones shown below.
Just like the Standard Type coins of Chandragupta I, the coins of Class I also use the Title Paramabhagvata/Paramabhagvato as the biruda for the King.
The attribution of these coins to Chandragupta I has been a topic of debate. The renowned Numismatist, Mr. John Allan of the British Museum, in 1950 thought these were issued by Chandragupta I.
C.D. Chatterjee (JNSI XXXVII [1975], pp. 91-99) argued that, as Chandragupta assumed the epithet Paramabhagavata (supremely devout), the figures must represent Lakshmi and Narayana Vishnu, and the scene is a representation of Vaikuntha, their supreme abode.
The styling on the reverse of these coins is reminiscent of the style used on the Lyrist type of Samudragutpa.
The conical headdress with beading, the elongated fingers of the right hand sprinkling insence at the fire altar, wearing a half sleeved jacket with pearls/beaded pants... all point to an earlier style.
While Altekar does not assign Class differentiation of this Type, I am assigning these coins into two Classes:
CLASS I: With Legend 'Paramabhagvato Sri Chandragupta' CLASS II: With Legend 'Prarathamatha dhiruhya kshitimabhipata divam jayati'
CLASS I (with Legend 'Paramabhagvato')
Obverse: Nimbate King holding standard facing left, sprinkling incense over altar with right hand. King's head shows a conical hat holding a standard with his left hand. Chandra under kings left arm.
Legend: Paramabhaghavato Sri Chandragupta - The Prime devotee Sri Chandragupta
7.34gms. : Paramabhaghvato Sri Chandragupta
Reverse: King and Queen seated on Couch. King offering either a Ring (side view of ring) or a sindhurdhani to Queen.
Crescent Standard in background.
Sri Vi behind Queen and Kramah behind King.
Extremely rare...
Note: The collection at the National Museum, New Delhi, also has one specimen of this variety - Accession number 59.29/38 - they however show a reading of 'Pravirah Kritah prata matah ratha' for their specimen which is totally wrong. The correct reading of the NM specimen is in fact the same as this coin shown here.
Only 1 or 2 coins known to exist.
CHANDRAGUPTA I KING QUEEN ON COUCH TYPE COIN CLASS I
CLASS II
Legend Prarathamatha dhiruhya kshitimabhipata divam jayati - 'Ascending the excellent chariot (praratha), the pre-eminent protector (abhipata) of the earth conquers heaven also'.
It is interesting to note that this legend possibly points to the passing of the King and is showering praise for the King on his way to the heavens.
Chandragupta I, nimbate, diademed, and wearing Kushan-style regalia, standing left, wearing half-sleeved jewelled coat, trousers, conical long cap, earrings, necklace, and armlets, dropping purodasas (offerings) onto altar with right hand and holding rajadanda (standard) in left; filleted Garuda behind altar; “Chandra” in Brahmi in inner right field / “Sri Vikrama” in Brahmi, Lakshmi seated right and Narayana Vishnu seated vis-à-vis on couch; standard behind.
BKB, p. 29 and catalog number 60 (rev. only of coin illustrated on cover); A.F.R. Hoernle, Philological Secretary, “Reports on Coins” in Proceedings of the Asiatic Society of Bengal, 1888 , pp. 129-130 = Altekar, pp. 138-140 and pl. IX, 6; BMC Guptas -; Bayana, p. lxxvi. VF, struck with worn dies. Extremely rare, BKB cites only three other specimens.
Images and design copyright Shivlee Collection
A comprehensive collection of rare gold coins from the Gupta Empire of India.
