King is standing facing to the left, holding battle axe flanked on either side by the kings biruda in brahmi script Samudra-Gupta. To Kings left a dwarf is standing facing right, standard in background. 7.32gm.
Reverse: Kritantaparasuh
Allan 40. Altekar p. 60, I.D. Mitchiner ACW 4785. Extremely fine. Ex Spink 71, lot 1015.
The coin above is in mint condition and is an exceptionally rare specimen within the Battle Axe type coinage.
Usually, these coins are found in very worn condition. During Samudragupta's early reign, while he was conquering all of the kingdoms from the North to the South, East and West, this type of coin must have been a very popular form of advertising the King's prowess and an excellent way to send a message to the unconquered regions of the upcoming seige.
The Allahabad Pillar Inscription does not contain the description of Samudragupta as Kritantaparasuh, Battle-axe of the God of Death, although the epithet is invariably applied to him in later official documents.
This type obviously celebrates Samudragupta's many successful battles and showcases his military might.
In this coin type, he holds a battle axe in place of a standard with one hand and his other hand is usually on his waist. In place of an altar (as shown on the Standard Type), there is a dwarf holding a crescent-topped banner.
The circular legend on the obverse is Kritanataparasur-jayatya jita rajajetajitah; it describes the irresistible prowess of the emporer and states that 'Victorious is the conquerer of unconquered kings, himself invincible as a veritable battle-axe of the God of Death' (New Readings of Legends on Gupta Gold Dinaras, AJN 5-6)
Or in Altekar's translation "Wielding the battle-axe of Kritanta, the unconquered conqueror of (till then) unconquered kings, is victorious."
The legend on this coin is in Prithvi metre
OBVERSE: The King is always shown as a Giant compared to the attendant (who is shown as a dwarf). King has one hand on his hip, relaxing and observing, with the other hand holding the Battle Axe. The attendant always is holding a Crescent shaped Standard.
REVERSE: The Goddess is usually seated on a throne, with feet resting on lotus petals. This is possibly the transition stage of the mint master's moving the design from a throne seated Goddess to a Goddess seated on a Lotus as is seen in the later coins of Chandragupta II, Archer Type, Class II.
Altekar has divided these coins into two Classes.
CLASS I
King looking to left and attendant to right. Goddess is on a throne with feet resting on a lotus in a Padmasana posture.
Var A: Samudra under Kings left arm
Var B: Kri under Kings left arm (only 1 coin of this type was in the Bayana Hoard)
Var C: Samudra between the King and the attendant and gupta under the left arm.
Var D: Samudra under left arm and Gupta outside the staff.
CLASS II
King looking to left and attendant to the right. Goddess is on the throne. Legend under Kings arm is Samudra.
Samudragupta Battle Axe Coin
CLASS I, Var A
Stylistically, this coin is from an earlier part of his reign when he was just starting to conquer the surrounding lands and had not yet the resources to employ the best mint masters.
This is a very rare variety, Nimbate King with halo, wearing a crown or a headband on his head with a big Pearl or a Jewel prominently displayed, with the Sword at waist of Kings left side. King is shown wearing a coat with long tails and short pants facing left and holding a Battle Axe. The dwarf soldier is shown facing right holding a crescent shaped standard.
Kritantaparushur...-jayatya jita raja jeta jitah(Weilding the Battle Axe of Kritanta... the unconquered conqueror of unconquered kings, is victorious) on left, samudra under Kings arm.
Class I, Var B with 'Kri' under Kings arm
SAMUDRAGUPTA BATTLE AXE TYPE
CLASS I, Var B
King Samudragupta is shown here on the battle field holding a Battle Axe in his left hand, facing an attendant who is holding a crescent shaped standard and facing right towards the king.
Kri (u) under Kings left arm. Goddess is seated on Lotus flower instead of a throne as in Var. A. Kritantaparasuh on reverse.
This coin variety is a very rare variety known from one coin in the Bayana Hoard and one coin in the British Museum.
Images and design copyright Shivlee Collection
A comprehensive collection of rare gold coins from the Gupta Empire of India.
