This coin type is truly one of the most artistic types in the entire Gupta Numismatics.
While these coins are among the rarest types known, it is apparent that these were commissioned to commemorate a young prince, soon to be the Maharaja of Raja's. Raja Samudragupta is depicted on these coins as a young man, very powerful and brave hunting the mighty Tiger.
Goddess Ganga is shown on the reverse as standing on a Makara. Very similar to the Asvamedha coins of Samudragupta and Variety A of the Lyrist type, these coins depict a goddess on the reverse and do not have any symbols.
SAMUDRAGUPTA TIGER SLAYER COIN
Variety A - Dinar. AV 7.63 g. Tiger-slayer type.
Obverse: King standing left, wearing ceremonial turban and dhoti, drawing his bow and aiming at an open mouthed tiger which rears up in front of him as he tramples on it, legend Vyaghraparakramah at right, crescent above lion's head.
Reverse: Raja Samudraguptah, in field right, the goddess Ganga standing left, on an elephant-headed fish (makara), she holds a long-stemmed lotus in left hand, her empty right hand is outstretched and a crescent topped standard decked with ribbons is in field l. BMC pl.II, 14. Bayana Hoard pl.VI, 9. Rare. Broad flan, well centred and well struck, fine style.
SAMUDRAGUPTA TIGER SLAYER COIN
At the height of his power, Samudragupta now starts living the Royal life and his coins depict his Royal Stature for the populace.
This coin is very unique in its style for the first time in Indian history a coin shows a king as a brave and powerful king, killing the powerful Tiger.
Obverse:Powerful King wearing dhoti and crown, shooting arrow into the mouth of the Tiger falling down on left.
Legend: Vyaghraparakramah Valiant like a tiger
Reverse: Raja Samudragupta Goddess Ganga standing on a makra elephant headed fish. She holds a lotus flower in one hand and in the other holds a Crescent topped Standard.. (very similar to the standard shown on the Battle Axe type)
Samudragupta Tiger Slayer Coin Script in Brahami
There are two know varieties of this coin type. Both varieties have the same Obverse legend: Vyaghraparakramah
Variety A: Legend on the reverse is Raja Samudraguptah Variety B: Legend on the reverse is Vyaghraparakramah
There are only 7 additional known specimen of this coin type known to exist in the world with only 3 of these in private collections (the Skanda coin and the two coins above)
Two coins are in British Museum (1 of Var A and 1 of Var B) One coin is in the Lucknow Museum Two coins were found in the Bayana Hoard (1 of Var A and 1 of Var B) - Both in Indian Museums One coin was in the Skanda Collection Auction (possibly in a private collection)
Images and design copyright Shivlee Collection
A comprehensive collection of rare gold coins from the Gupta Empire of India.
