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.
Kacha Gupta Gold Coin Class I Var A
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, a dagger shown at Kings waist on his right and holding cakradhvaja with left hand.
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).
KachaGupta Gold Coin Class I Var A
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 (Sceptre with a Wheel) in left hand. Offering incense into the fire altar with right hand.
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"
Kachagupta Gold Coin Class I Var A
Kachagupta Coin Class I Var A
CLASS II with both a Garuda Sceptre (Standard) and Chakaradhavaja Sceptre (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 specimen was in the Bayana Hoard - The goddess on the reverse of the BH coin holds a diadem in her left hand. There is a symbol (Tamgha) is on the top left qudrant.
Variety B This is the coin below - It is the only coin known to exist with this reverse - it shows the Goddess holding a flower in her right hand AND there is a symbol in the bottom left quadrant.
Kacha Gupta Gold Coin Class II Var 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 Sceptre to Kings Right on the Obverse in addition to the Chakradhavaja (wheel topped) Sceptre 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 (Sceptre) 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
