This type is divided into two classes based on the reverse. Class I shows the goddess on the reverse sitting along on a wicker stool. Class II shows the goddess feeding a peacock.
Reverse legend on both class: Ajitamahendrah - Victorious Mahendra. These coins are all issued to a weight standard of 8.22gms.
CLASS I: (Goddess always on wicker stool)
Var A - King is shown riding to right without any weapons. Saddle is decorated.
Legend: Prithivitalambarasasi Kumaragupto Jayatyajitah - Invincible Kumaragupta, who is as it were the moon in the sky in the form of the earth's surface, is victorious.
Var B - Single specimen in the Bayana hoard - King riding to left, a bow in right hand. No decoration on saddle. Legend: Jayati nripo'ribhirajitah - Victorious is the king who is never defeated by the enemies.
Var C - Obverse similar to Var A, horse facing right, King carries no weapons. Legend: Kshitipatirajito vijayi Kumaragupto divam jayati - The unconquered and victorious king Kumaragupta, wins the heaven.
Class II - (Goddess always feeding peacock on reverse)
Var A - King bare headed with wig like hair, riding to right, wearing coat and trousers. Legend: Guptakuavyomasasi jayatyajeyo' jitamahendrah - The unconquered and invincible Mahendra, who is a moon in the sky of Gupta family is victorious.
Var B - King riding to left, bow in right hand and a sword hangs by his left side. Legend: Guptakulamalachandro mahendrakaramjito jayati - The spotless moon of the Gupta family, the invincible hero, who is as valorous as Mahendra, is victorious.
Var C - King riding to right, carries no weapons. Legend slightly different from variety C of Class I - Kshitipatirajito vijayi Kumaragupto jayatyajitah - The invincible and victorious king Kumaragupta carries the day, being undefeated.
Var D - King rides to the right, holding a bow in the left hand. Legend begins at VII - Prithivitalesvarendrah Kumaraguo Jayatayajitah - Invincible Kumaragupta, a vertitable Indra on the surface of the earth, conquers (the enemy).
Class I, Var B
Kumaragupta Horseman to left
King riding to left, Lakshmi on wicker stool. Very rare variety. 8.24gm
My thanks to Ms. Ellen Raven for the attribution of this coin. Trace of Peacock can be seen under the clasp on the reverse.
BAYANA HOARD CHANDRAGUPTA HORSEMAN TYPE
Bayana Hoard Chandragupta Horseman type
KUMARAGUPTA I HORSEMAN TYPE
Class II Var. A
Class II, Var B
Kumaragupta Horseman Type
Full Legend
King on horseback, riding to the left, holding bow in right hand. Sanskrit legend in Upagiti meter, Guptakulamalachandro mahendrakaramjito jayati.
8.23 gm.
Goddess Lakshmi seated left on wicker stool, feeding peacock, symbol to upper left, Sanskrit legend Ajitamahendra
This coin is from the Ex. G.M. Browne Collection
Altekar 176 II.B.
Kumaragupta I Horseman Type
King riding to left, with bow. 8.17gm.
Class II, Var C
King without weapons, Kshitipatirajito vijayi Kumaragupto jayatyajitah
Reverse - Note style of legs of Goddess... a very creative and unique style to Kumaragupta Coins. Ajita[mahendrah].
Note the excellence in design and depiction of the Goddess crossed legs. A truly rare example showing the mastery of design during the height of the Gupta Empire.
8.18gms
Kumaragupta I Horseman Type
Class II, Var D
Very rare variety.
King is shown here with a Sword on the obverse.
On the reverse, the object shown above the Goddess's hand is possibly a geometrical symbol and should not be confused with the grapes being offered to the Peacock.
kumaragupta Horseman Type
Notice Sword at kings side.
8.12gm
King on horseback, right, holding bow in left hand. Sanskrit legend Prithivitalesvarendrah Kumaraguo Jayatayajitah
Reverse shows Goddess offering an unusual object to a Peacock. Ajitamehandrah
This coin is from the Ex. G.M. Browne Collection
Images and design copyright Shivlee Collection
A comprehensive collection of rare gold coins from the Gupta Empire of India.
