Coins of this type were very popular during Chandragupta's reign based on the multiple varieties minted by the mint masters. Each of these different varieties showed beautiful renditions of the King victorious in the hunt by shooting the Lion close up with a bow and arrow as well with just a sword.
These miniature pieces of art capture and preserve the scenes from the royal hunt.
Obverse: King is shown hunting the Lion in various poses. Reverse: Goddess seated on Lion. (Durga?) but is holding a lotus (Lakshmi?), in rare cases sprinkling coins.
Legend: Sri Simhavikramah
Class I: Lion Combatant Type - King usually shooting arrow at Lion.
Legend: Narendrachandrah prathitarano rane jayatyajeyo bhuvi simhavikramah 'The moon among the Kings, who is famous for his warfare, who is invincible, and who is valorous like a lion, is victorious on the battlefield.'
Class II: Lion Trampler Type - King has one foot on Lion's belly and is shooting an arrow at the Lion.
Legend: same as Class I
Class III: Lion Retreating Type - Lion is retreating or ready to retreat.
Legend: Varies. On some coins same legend as Class I & II and on some coins with full legend below or on others missing 'Deva Sri' Deva sri Maharajadhiraja Sri Chandraguptah
GUPTA LION SLAYER COINS BRAHMI SCRIPT
Class I, Var A - Lion Combatant Type
CHANDRAGUPTA GOLD COIN - LION SLAYER
King facing left, holding bow in left hand and right hand is shown as having released the bowstring. Lion is falling backwards on left. 7.87gm.
Coins of this variety much have been very popular, as majority of these are found in worn condition. This speciman shows beautiful features and for the first time we are able to see the intricate pearls on the Crown.
Legend on Obverse at XI : [Narendra chandrah prathitarano rane jayatyajeyo bhuvi simha] vikramah 'The moon among the Kings, who is famous for his warfare, who is invincible, and who is valorous like a lion, is victorious on the battlefield.'
Chandragupta Lion slayer coin
Chandragupta Lion Slayer coin
Class I, Var C
This coin published in 'Chandragupta II, the Lionslayer' by Ellen M. Raven. Paper read at SAA2001, Paris, 3 July 2001.
Chandragupta Lion slayer coin
Chandragupta Lion Slayer coin
Class I, Var F
Reverse - Sinahavikramah 8.13gms
New variety - Reverse shows Goddess dropping coins. Lion couchant to left. This coin published in 'Chandragupta II, the Lionslayer' by Ellen M. Raven. Paper read at SAA2001, Paris, 3 July 2001.
Chandragupta Lion slayer coin
Chandragupta Lion Slayer coin
Class II - Lion Trampler Type new Variety
The King is shown trampling on the lion, who is shooting at it with a bow and arrow. Legend starting at 1 O'clock: Narendrachandra ... at 11 O'clock: ...simhavikramah
Reverse shows the goddess seated facing left on on a lion. Lion is standing facing left. Goddess in this coin is dropping coins from her right hand. Legend: simhavikramah
CHANDRAGUPTA II LION SLAYER
Weight 7.7gms
Class II, Var G (goddess seated astride lion facing to left, holding lotus in right)
This coin published in 'Chandragupta II, the Lionslayer' by Ellen M. Raven. Paper read at SAA2001, Paris, 3 July 2001.
Chandragupta Lion slayer coin
Chandragupta Lion Slayer coin
Class II, Var F (goddess seated on lion with legs folded, lion couchant to left)
This coin published in 'Chandragupta II, the Lionslayer' by Ellen M. Raven. Paper read at SAA2001, Paris, 3 July 2001.
CHANDRAGUPTA II LION SLAYER
Chandragupta Lion Slayer with Crown Class II
NEW VARIETY:
King shown shooting the lion in it's mouth with an arrow while stepping on the lion with his right foot. Beautiful design of the King wearing with a crown. Complete legend on obverse: deva sri maharaja dhiraja sri Chandraguptasya
Reverse: Goddess is shown sitting on the Lion but on this variety, the right leg of the goddess is hanging down. Lion is walking to right. Simhavikramah
7.75gm, 2.0 cm - struck on a wide flan.
Class III, Var B
7.80gm
Lion Slayer Retreating Type. Extremely rare variety. King standing to the front, facing left, with long sash at his waist. He holds an arrow in his left hand and with his right hand holds a bow which he points towards a retreating lion.
Legend starting at I O'Clock: Deva sri maharajadhara . At X O'Clock - Chandraguptah
Reverse: Lion walking to right. Goddess seated on lion facing to the front holding a ribbon in right hand and lotus in left hand. Legend: Sinhavikramah
Only 2 other specimen's of this variety are known - One is in the Lucknow Museum and the second speicman is in the British Museum - published in BMC GD, Plate IX, 12.
