Kachagupta's place in the Gupta Dynasty Lineage has been questioned based on a key argument that while gold coins bearing his name have been found, none of these coins ever showed the Garuda Bird (which was the seal of the Gupta Dynasty).
This argument can now be put to rest based on the coin of Class II, Variety B shown below. This magnificient coin not onlyshows the Garuda standard on the left of the King, but the design clearly shows the hand of the Mint Masters from the Royal Mint - Mint B, which employed the best and most skilled designers.
It's the first and only speciman of it's kind known to exist - See coin in section Class II, Variety B, below.
KACHAGUPTA COIN
This coin is from the Ex G.M. Browne Collection & Ex Skanda Collection
CLASS I - Variety A
King Kacha shown Nimbate, standing left, sacrificing at altar with right hand and holding cakradhvaja in left.
Full legend is in Upagati metre - Kacho gamavajitya Karmabhiruttamairdivam jayati - Having conquered the earth, King Kacha (now) wins the heaven by his excellent deeds"
Reverse: Sarvarajochchhetta - Exterminator of all kings
Note coins in this variety do not show the Garuda Standard which is the hallmark of the Standard Type coins issued by the Gupta Kings.
On Standard Type coins of Gupta Kings, there are only two instances when the Garuda Standard is missing - one instance is on the CLASS III, 'Punjab Type/Kushan Type' coin of Samudragupta and the other instance is on these Variety A coins of Kachagupta (shown below) where the standard is depicted as a wheel topped standard.
In the Post Kushan coinage, there is one other instance where a wheel topped standard is used. These coins are referred to as being issued by Magra - a rebel warlord from the 4th Century.
This coin was the subject of the article by G.M. Browne "New readings of legends on Gupta gold dinaras," AJN 5-6, 1993-94, p.161, 1, pl.18, 1 (American Journal of Numismatics).
Kacha Type obv
Obverse: Kacha under left arm. Legend starting at 1 O'clock: Kacho gamavajitya divam karambhir uttamair jayati " Having conquered the earth, Kacha wins the heaven by excellent deeds".
King holds a chakradhavja (Standard with a Wheel) in left hand. Offering incense into the fire altar with right hand.
Kachagupta Reverse
Reverse: Goddess standing facing left - Variety A - holds a flower in right hand and in Variety B - holds a noose.
Legend: Sarvarajochchetta "Exterminator of all kings"
Image:
CLASS II - with both a Garuda Standard and Chakaradhavaja Standard.
Only 1 coin was known to exist and it was found in the Bayana Hoard. It shows a Garuda Standard in addition to the Chakaradvaja (wheel topped) Standard.
Variety A - Only known speciman was in the Bayana Hoard - The goddess on the reverse in this coin holds a fillet of ribbons in her left hand. Symbol (Tamgha) is on the top left qudrant.
Variety B
The coin below - The only coin known to exist with this reverse - shows the Goddess holding a flower in her right hand.
Symbol is on the bottom left quadrant.
KACHAGUPTA VARIETY B
King Kacha shown Nimbate, standing left, sacrificing at altar with right hand and holding chakradhvaja in left hand.
This rare variety has a Garuda Standard to Kings Right on the Obverse in addition to the Chakradhavaja (wheel topped) Standard on the left.
The Reverse shows the Queen holding a flower in her right hand. There is only one other coin known to exist (from the Bayana Hoard) that shows a Garuda Standard on the obverse, however the Queen is holding a fillet or ribbons in her right hand.
This is a first discovery coin of this variety and the only specimen known to exist.
Weight 7.80gms Ellen Raven: Mint B
Obverse Legend in Upagati metre - Kacho gamavajitya Karmabhiruttamairdivam jayati - Having conquered the earth, King Kacha (now) wins the heaven by his excellent deeds"
Reverse: Sarvarajochchhetta - Exterminator of all kings
Images and design copyright Shivlee Collection
A comprehensive collection of rare gold coins from the Gupta Empire of India.
