Class I Reverse shows Goddess Lakshmi seated on a couch
King always facing left, holding Bow in left hand and arrow in right hand. Garuda bird on standard (rajdanda) on left. Goddess always seated on a couch with lathe turned legs, back of couch shows on some coins - holding noose in right hand on some coins and dropping coins with right hand on other coins. Symbols on left top field always vary.
Important note on Style: The Class I coins stylistically point to an early stage of numismatic designs. The rendition of the headdress of the goddess on reverse of these coins has a very close resemblence to the Chandragupta I - Standard Type coin, which also shows the Goddess seated on a couch with lathe turned legs.
Legend on Reverse: Srivikramah
CHANDRAGUPTA BRAHMI TEXT
CHANDRAGUPTA II ARCHER CL 1 OBV
Class I, Variety A - Kings name chandra under arm
Obverse: Legend - Deva-sri-maharajadhiraja-sri-Chandraguptah Bow with bowstring inward held in crook of Kings arm. King facing left, with big earrings and braclet, wearing stylish tunic with tails.
Reverse: Legend - Srivikramah Goddess Lakshmi sitting on couch. Holding cornucoupiae and dropping eight coins from right hand.
Coin weight: 7.78gms Dia: 1.9cm
Chandragupta II Class I Archer
Class I, Variety B - Chandra written between bow and bowstring which is facing inside.
Obverse: Sharp and expressive features, short sleeved coat with buttons, ribbons and coat tail with beaded pants. King has big earrings, bracelet, Garuda Bird on Standard (rajdanda).
Reverse: Goddess Lakshmi seated on couch - noosein right hand. Srivikram - the 2 dots forming the "mha" is missing at the end of of the biruda. 7.60 gms
Chandragupta II Archer Class I
Class I, Variety B chandra between bow and bowstring
7.70 gms, 1.9cm
CHANDRAGUPTA II CLASS I ARCHER
Class I, Variety D - Chandra written outside of bowstring
King holds bow by middle, bowstring faces outside, chandra written vertically and outside of bowstring.
Goddess seated on couch. Srivikramah 7.78gms
Images and design copyright Shivlee Collection
A comprehensive collection of rare gold coins from the Gupta Empire of India.
