Saturday, August 9, 2008

The Classical Age (Guptas, Nagas etc. - 4th - 6th century AD) COINS

Yudheyas

Bronze tetradrachm of Ancient Yudheyas, Civic Coinage (190-300 AD), number "dvi", early issue. Karttikeya standind facing, holding sceptre; peacock on right. In Brahmi: Yaudheya Ganasya Jaya (Victory to the Yaudheya people) / Goddess standing with hand on hip, wearing transparent garment. 25mm, 10.1 grams. Early series, Mitchiner, ACW 4711-4715. Stock #23952. US$ 6.00

Bronze tetradrachm of Ancient Yudheyas, Civic Coinage (190-300 AD), number "dvi", early issue. Karttikeya standind facing, holding sceptre; peacock on right. In Brahmi: Yaudheya Ganasya Jaya (Victory to the Yaudheya people) / Goddess standing with hand on hip, wearing transparent garment. 25mm, 11.0 grams. Early series, Mitchiner, ACW 4711-4715. Stock #23950. US$ 10.00

Bronze tetradrachm of Ancient Yudheyas, Civic Coinage (190-300 AD), number "dvi", early issue. Karttikeya standind facing, holding sceptre; peacock on right. In Brahmi: Yaudheya Ganasya Jaya (Victory to the Yaudheya people) / Goddess standing with hand on hip, wearing transparent garment. 25mm, 10.8 grams. Early series, Mitchiner, ACW 4711-4715. Stock #23951. US$ 4.00

Nagas of Narwar

Nine different Naga Kings were the offshoot of the Gupta Empire, and ruled an area in the Northern India which roughly corresponded to the later areas of Bharatpur, Dholpur, Gwalior and a part of Bhundelkhand. The Nagas issued a small number of bronze coins of various denominations (1, 1/2 and 1/4 kakini), all are relatively scarce. The chronology of Nagas is quite unknown - Ganapati is certainly known to have ruled around 340 AD, the dates of reigns of others Nagas are virtually unknown.

The tiny bronze kakinis, of shape and size of a contemporary Roman AE4 are thought to have been inspired by the coinage of the Romans, with whom India had a lot of trade at the time.

NAGAS OF PADMAVATI ( Also known as Nagas of Narwar ) - GANAPATI NAGA (ca. 340 AD) and other nagas. Mostly the Humped Bull Standing left within a dotted circle/ Inscription in Brahmi script starting from 4 O' clock read from inside - "Maharaja Shri Ganendra". A mixture of 1 kikini, 1/2 kikini and 1/4 kikini pieces. Some rare types mixed in. F-EF, nice scarce small chunky coins, 8-13mm in diameter. Stock #nagas. US$ 3.00 per coin!

Skanda Naga (early 300's AD)

Rare 1/2 kakini of Skanda Naga, India, early 300's AD, 0.6g, 10mm. Lion seated left / Standard or a similar device. F. Rare! Stock #22969. US$ 12.00

Rare 1/2 kakini of Skanda Naga, India, early 300's AD, 0.6g, 10mm. Lion seated left / Standard or a similar device. F. Rare! Stock #22969. US$ 14.00

Rare 1/2 kakini of Skanda Naga, India, early 300's AD, 0.9g, 10mm. Lion seated left / Standard or a similar device. Weakly struck F. Rare! Stock #22951. US$ 14.00

Rare 1/2 kakini of Skanda Naga, India, early 300's AD, 0.5g, 8mm. Lion seated left / Standard or a similar device. Weakly struck F. Rare! Stock #22969. US$ 12.00

Rare 1/2 kakini of Skanda Naga, India, early 300's AD, 0.5g, 8mm. Lion seated left / Standard or a similar device. Weakly struck F. Rare! Stock #22953. US$ 14.00

Rare 1/2 kakini of Skanda Naga, India, early 300's AD, 0.5g, 8mm. Lion seated left / Standard or a similar device. Weakly struck F. Rare! Stock #22955. US$ 8.00

Brihaspati Naga (ca.320 AD)

Rare 1/4 kakini of Brihaspati Naga, India, ca. 320 AD, 0.3g, 7mm. Humped Bull Standing right within a dotted circle/ "Maharaja Sri Brihaspati Naga". F. Rare! Stock #22947. US$ 15.00 SOLD

Rare 1/4 kakini of Brihaspati Naga, India, ca.320 AD, 0.3g, 7mm. Humped Bull Standing right within a dotted circle/ "Maharaja Sri Brihaspati Naga". F. Rare! Stock #22970. US$ 10.00 SOLD

Ganapati Naga (ca.340 AD)

Rare early brass 1 kakini of Ganapati Naga, India, ca. 340 AD, 2.0g, 12mm. Humped Bull Standing left within a dotted circle/ Inscription in Brahmi script starting from 4 O' clock read from inside - "Maharaja Shri Ganendra". Scarce brass kakini from an early issue. VF. Stock #22937. US$ 14.00 SOLD

Scarce 1 kakini, Ganapati Naga, India, ca. 340 AD, 1.1g, 10mm. Humped Bull Standing left within a dotted circle/ Inscription in Brahmi script starting from 4 O' clock read from inside - "Maharaja Shri Ganendra". Scarce 1 kakini denomination, Rare this nice. EF. Stock #22915. US$ 10.00

Scarce 1 kakini, Ganapati Naga, India, ca. 340 AD, 1.2g, 10mm. Humped Bull Standing left within a dotted circle/ Inscription in Brahmi script starting from 4 O' clock read from inside - "Maharaja Shri Ganendra". Scarce 1 kakini denomination, Rare this nice. F/EF. Stock #22920. US$ 5.00 SOLD

Scarce 1 kakini, Ganapati Naga, India, ca. 340 AD, 1.6g, 10mm. Humped Bull Standing left within a dotted circle/ Inscription in Brahmi script starting from 4 O' clock read from inside - "Maharaja Shri Ganendra". Scarce 1 kakini denomination, Rare this nice. EF. Stock #22921. US$ 10.00

Scarce 1 kakini, Ganapati Naga, India, ca. 340 AD, 1.7g, 10mm. Humped Bull Standing left within a dotted circle/ Inscription in Brahmi script starting from 4 O' clock read from inside - "Maharaja Shri Ganendra". Scarce 1 kakini denomination, Rare this nice. EF. Stock #22929. US$ 11.00 SOLD

Scarce 1 kakini, Ganapati Naga, India, ca. 340 AD, 1.5g, 11mm. Humped Bull Standing left within a dotted circle/ Inscription in Brahmi script starting from 4 O' clock read from inside - "Maharaja Shri Ganendra". Scarce 1 kakini denomination, Rare this nice. EF. Stock #22927. US$ 10.00 SOLD

Scarce 1 kakini, Ganapati Naga, India, ca. 340 AD, 1.6g, 11mm. Humped Bull Standing left within a dotted circle/ Inscription in Brahmi script starting from 4 O' clock read from inside - "Maharaja Shri Ganendra". Scarce 1 kakini denomination, Rare this nice. EF. Stock #22931. US$ 10.00

Scarce 1 kakini, Ganapati Naga, India, ca. 340 AD, 2.0g, 13mm. Humped Bull Standing left within a dotted circle/ Inscription in Brahmi script starting from 4 O' clock read from inside - "Maharaja Shri Ganendra". Scarce 1 kakini denomination, Rare this large! VF. Stock #22939. US$ 10.00

Scarce 1 kakini, Ganapati Naga, India, ca. 340 AD, 1.8g, 14mm. Humped Bull Standing left within a dotted circle/ Inscription in Brahmi script starting from 4 O' clock read from inside - "Maharaja Shri Ganendra". Scarce 1 kakini denomination, Rare this nice. VF. Stock #22941. US$ 11.00

Scarce 1 kakini, Ganapati Naga, India, ca. 340 AD, 2.0g, 12mm. Humped Bull Standing left within a dotted circle/ Inscription in Brahmi script starting from 4 O' clock read from inside - "Maharaja Shri Ganendra". Scarce 1 kakini denomination, Rare this large! aEF. Stock #22942. US$ 9.00 SOLD

Scarce 1 kakini, Ganapati Naga, India, ca. 340 AD, 1.7g, 12mm. Humped Bull Standing left within a dotted circle/ Inscription in Brahmi script starting from 4 O' clock read from inside - "Maharaja Shri Ganendra". Scarce 1 kakini denomination, Rare this nice. VF. Stock #22924. US$ 6.00

Scarce 1 kakini, Ganapati Naga, India, ca. 340 AD, 1.3g, 12mm. Humped Bull Standing left within a dotted circle/ Inscription in Brahmi script starting from 4 O' clock read from inside - "Maharaja Shri Ganendra". Scarce 1 kakini denomination, Rare this nice. VF. Stock #22971. US$ 8.00

Scarce 1 kakini, Ganapati Naga, India, ca. 340 AD, 1.7g, 12mm. Humped Bull Standing left within a dotted circle/ Inscription in Brahmi script starting from 4 O' clock read from inside - "Maharaja Shri Ganendra". Scarce 1 kakini denomination, Rare this nice. VF. Stock #22924. US$ 6.00

1/2 kakini, Ganapati Naga, India, ca. 340 AD, 0.9g, 8mm. Humped Bull Standing left within a dotted circle/ Inscription in Brahmi script starting from 4 O' clock read from inside - "Maharaja Shri Ganendra". Scarce, especially this nice. EF. Stock #22918. US$ 8.00

1/2 kakini, Ganapati Naga, India, ca. 340 AD, 0.8g, 9mm. Humped Bull Standing left within a dotted circle/ Inscription in Brahmi script starting from 4 O' clock read from inside - "Maharaja Shri Ganendra". Scarce, especially this nice. EF. Stock #22919. US$ 6.50 SOLD

1/2 kakini, Ganapati Naga, India, ca. 340 AD, 0.9g, 9mm. Humped Bull Standing left within a dotted circle/ Inscription in Brahmi script starting from 4 O' clock read from inside - "Maharaja Shri Ganendra". Scarce, especially this nice. EF. Stock #22922. US$ 8.00 SOLD

1/2 kakini, Ganapati Naga, India, ca. 340 AD, 0.7g, 10mm. Humped Bull Standing left within a dotted circle/ Inscription in Brahmi script starting from 4 O' clock read from inside - "Maharaja Shri Ganendra". Scarce, especially this nice. EF. Stock #22923. US$ 7.00

1/2 kakini, Ganapati Naga, India, ca. 340 AD, 0.6g, 10mm. Humped Bull Standing left within a dotted circle/ Inscription in Brahmi script starting from 4 O' clock read from inside - "Maharaja Shri Ganendra". Scarce, especially this nice. EF. Stock #22940. US$ 7.00

1/2 kakini, Ganapati Naga, India, ca. 340 AD, 0.6g, 10mm. Humped Bull Standing left within a dotted circle/ Inscription in Brahmi script starting from 4 O' clock read from inside - "Maharaja Shri Ganendra". Scarce, especially this nice. EF. Stock #22940. US$ 7.00

1/2 kakini, Ganapati Naga, India, ca. 340 AD, 0.6g, 9mm. Humped Bull Standing left within a dotted circle/ Inscription in Brahmi script starting from 4 O' clock read from inside - "Maharaja Shri Ganendra". Scarce, especially this nice. EF. Stock #22943. US$ 8.00

1/2 kakini, Ganapati Naga, India, ca. 340 AD, 0.7g, 9mm. Humped Bull Standing left within a dotted circle/ Inscription in Brahmi script starting from 4 O' clock read from inside - "Maharaja Shri Ganendra". Scarce, especially this nice. EF. Stock #22922. US$ 10.00

1/2 kakini, Ganapati Naga, India, ca. 340 AD, 0.7g, 9mm. Humped Bull Standing left within a dotted circle/ Inscription in Brahmi script starting from 4 O' clock read from inside - "Maharaja Shri Ganendra". Scarce, especially this nice. EF. Stock #22945. US$ 7.50

Scarce small 1/4 kakini, Ganapati Naga, India, ca. 340 AD, 0.6g, 8mm. Humped Bull Standing left within a dotted circle/ Inscription in Brahmi script starting from 4 O' clock read from inside - "Maharaja Shri Ganendra". Scarce, especially this nice. VF. Stock #22917. US$ 6.00

Scarce small 1/4 kakini, Ganapati Naga, India, ca. 340 AD, 0.6g, 8mm. Humped Bull Standing left within a dotted circle/ Inscription in Brahmi script starting from 4 O' clock read from inside - "Maharaja Shri Ganendra". Scarce, especially this nice. EF. Stock #22926. US$ 8.00

Scarce small 1/4 kakini, Ganapati Naga, India, ca. 340 AD, 0.5g, 7mm. Humped Bull Standing left within a dotted circle/ Inscription in Brahmi script starting from 4 O' clock read from inside - "Maharaja Shri Ganendra". Scarce, especially this nice. EF. Stock #22925. US$ 7.00

Scarce small 1/4 kakini, Ganapati Naga, India, ca. 340 AD, 0.5g, 8mm. Humped Bull Standing left within a dotted circle/ Inscription in Brahmi script starting from 4 O' clock read from inside - "Maharaja Shri Ganendra". Scarce, especially this nice. EF. Stock #22930. US$ 6.50

Scarce small 1/4 kakini, Ganapati Naga, India, ca. 340 AD, 0.45g, 7mm. Humped Bull Standing left within a dotted circle/ Inscription in Brahmi script starting from 4 O' clock read from inside - "Maharaja Shri Ganendra". Scarce, especially this nice. EF. Stock #22934. US$ 7.50

Vyaghra Naga (after ca.340 AD)

Nothing is known of this prince, and his coinage is limited to these very rare square kikinis.

Rare kakini of Vyaghra Naga, India, after ca.340 AD, 1.2g, 11mm. Wheel within a dotted circle / "Vyaghra" writted in a line. aVF. EXTREMELY Rare, with only a handful of published examples! Stock #22972. US$ 40.00 SOLD

Deva Naga (after ca.360 AD)

Rare large brass double (or heavy) kakini of Deva Naga, India, after ca.360 AD, 2.6g, 13mm. Humped Bull Standing left within a dotted circle/ Trisul of Siva, inscription in Brahmi script starting from 4 O' clock read from inside - "Maharaja Sri Deva Nagasya". VF. Rare! Stock #22936. US$ 32.00 SOLD

Rare 1 kakini of Deva Naga, India, after ca.360 AD, 1.7g, 12mm. Humped Bull Standing left within a dotted circle/ Trisul of Siva, inscription in Brahmi script starting from 4 O' clock read from inside - "Maharaja Sri Deva Nagasya". Rare! Stock #22965. US$ 14.50 SOLD

Rare 1 kakini of Deva Naga, India, after ca.360 AD, 1.7g, 12mm. Humped Bull Standing left within a dotted circle/ Trisul of Siva, inscription in Brahmi script starting from 4 O' clock read from inside - "Maharaja Sri Deva Nagasya". aVF. Rare! Stock #22936. US$ 12.50

Rare 1 kakini of Deva Naga, India, after ca.360 AD, 1.7g, 12mm. Humped Bull Standing left within a dotted circle/ Trisul of Siva, inscription in Brahmi script starting from 4 O' clock read from inside - "Maharaja Sri Deva Nagasya". EF. Rare! Stock #22971. US$ 24.00

Rare large 1 kakini of Deva Naga, India, after ca.360 AD, 1.9g, 11mm. Wheel in a circle of pellets / "Maharaja Sri Deva Nagasya". Stock #22958. US$ 20.00 SOLD

Rare large 1 kakini of Deva Naga, India, after ca.360 AD, 1.5g, 11mm. Wheel in a circle of pellets / "Maharaja Sri Deva Nagasya". aEF. Rare this nice! Stock #22960. US$ 30.00 SOLD

Rare large 1 kakini of Deva Naga, India, after ca.360 AD, 1.9g, 12mm. Wheel in a circle of pellets / "Maharaja Sri Deva Nagasya". VF, nicer than the scan. Stock #22959. US$ 16.00

Rare large 1 kakini of Deva Naga, India, after ca.360 AD, 1.2g, 11mm. Wheel in a circle of pellets / "Maharaja Sri Deva Nagasya". F, nicer than the scan. Stock #22959. US$ 10.00 SOLD

Rare 1/2 kakini of Deva Naga, India, after ca.360 AD, 0.6g, 8mm. Wheel in a circle of pellets / "Maharaja Sri Deva Nagasya". aVF, nicer than the scan. Rare Stock #22959. Note: 1/2 kakini from this issue is much scarcer than the 1 kakini coins. US$ 18.00

Unpublished 1/8 kakini of Deva Naga, India, after ca.360 AD, 0.3g, 7mm. Humped Bull Standing left within a dotted circle/ Trisul of Siva, inscription in Brahmi script starting from 4 O' clock read from inside - "Maharaja Sri Deva Nagasya". VF. Unpublished in Cunnigham and anywhere else, as far as we can tell. Stock #22948. US$ 35.00

The Gupta Empire and its successors

The origins of the Guptas are shrouded in obscurity. The Chinese traveller I-tsing provides the first evidence of the Gupta kingdom in Magadha. He came to India in 672 CE and heard of 'Maharaja Sri-Gupta' who built a temple for Chinese pilgrims near Mrigasikhavana. I-tsing gives the date for this event merely as '500 years before'. This does not match with other sources and hence we can assume that I-tsing's computation was a mere guess.

The early Gupta drachmas were derived from the earlier coins of Kshatrapas (obverse was practically unchanged, while the mountain on reverse was replaced with the image of Garuda)

Kumaragupta (414-455 AD)

The Gupta Empire - Silver drachm of King Kumaragupta I (414 - 455 AD). Bust of king, right / Formalized Garuda standing facing with spread wings. In Brahmi:'Parama-bhagavata rajahiraja Sri Kumaragupta Mahendraditya'. 14mm in diameter. EF, scarce. Mitchiner ACW 4845 - 4854. Stock #22445. US$ 32.00 SOLD

The Gupta Empire - Silver drachm of King Kumaragupta I (414 - 455 AD). Bust of king, right / Formalized Garuda standing facing with spread wings. In Brahmi:'Parama-bhagavata rajahiraja Sri Kumaragupta Mahendraditya'. 16mm in diameter. EF, scarce. Mitchiner ACW 4845 - 4854. Stock #22473. US$ 32.00 SOLD

The Gupta Empire - Silver drachm of King Kumaragupta I (414 - 455 AD). Bust of king, right / Formalized Garuda standing facing with spread wings. In Brahmi:'Parama-bhagavata rajahiraja Sri Kumaragupta Mahendraditya'. 14mm in diameter. EF, scarce. Mitchiner ACW 4845 - 4854. Stock #22447. US$ 26.00

The Gupta Empire - Silver drachm of King Kumaragupta I (414 - 455 AD). Bust of king, right / Formalized Garuda standing facing with spread wings. In Brahmi:'Parama-bhagavata rajahiraja Sri Kumaragupta Mahendraditya'. 14mm in diameter. EF, scarce. Mitchiner ACW 4845 - 4854. Stock #22439. US$ 31.00

The Gupta Empire - Silver drachm of King Kumaragupta I (414 - 455 AD). Bust of king, right / Formalized Garuda standing facing with spread wings. In Brahmi:'Parama-bhagavata rajahiraja Sri Kumaragupta Mahendraditya'. 14mm in diameter. EF, scarce. Mitchiner ACW 4845 - 4854. Stock #22438. US$ 33.00

The Gupta Empire - Silver drachm of King Kumaragupta I (414 - 455 AD). Bust of king, right / Formalized Garuda standing facing with spread wings. In Brahmi:'Parama-bhagavata rajahiraja Sri Kumaragupta Mahendraditya'. 14mm in diameter. VF/EF, scarce. Mitchiner ACW 4845 - 4854. Stock #22462. US$ 24.00 SOLD

The Gupta Empire - Silver drachm of King Kumaragupta I (414 - 455 AD). Bust of king, right / Formalized Garuda standing facing with spread wings. In Brahmi:'Parama-bhagavata rajahiraja Sri Kumaragupta Mahendraditya'. 14mm in diameter. Superb EF, scarce. Mitchiner ACW 4845 - 4854. Stock #22463. US$ 38.00 SOLD

The Gupta Empire - Silver drachm of King Kumaragupta I (414 - 455 AD). Bust of king, right / Formalized Garuda standing facing with spread wings. In Brahmi:'Parama-bhagavata rajahiraja Sri Kumaragupta Mahendraditya'. 14mm in diameter. EF, exceptionally large and nice. Scarce. Mitchiner ACW 4845 - 4854. Stock #22435. US$ 32.00 SOLD

The Gupta Empire - Silver drachm of King Kumaragupta I (414 - 455 AD). Bust of king, right / Formalized Garuda standing facing with spread wings. In Brahmi:'Parama-bhagavata rajahiraja Sri Kumaragupta Mahendraditya'. 14mm in diameter. VF, scarce. Mitchiner ACW 4845 - 4854. Stock #22446. US$ 18.50

The Gupta Empire - Silver drachm of King Kumaragupta I (414 - 455 AD). Bust of king, right / Formalized Garuda standing facing with spread wings. In Brahmi:'Parama-bhagavata rajahiraja Sri Kumaragupta Mahendraditya'. 14mm in diameter. VF, scarce. Mitchiner ACW 4845 - 4854. Stock #22444. US$ 22.50

The Gupta Empire - Silver drachm of King Kumaragupta I (414 - 455 AD). Bust of king, right / Formalized Garuda standing facing with spread wings. In Brahmi:'Parama-bhagavata rajahiraja Sri Kumaragupta Mahendraditya'. 14mm in diameter. VF, scarce. Mitchiner ACW 4845 - 4854. Stock #22466. US$ 22.00

The Gupta Empire - Silver drachm of King Kumaragupta I (414 - 455 AD). Bust of king, right / Formalized Garuda standing facing with spread wings. In Brahmi:'Parama-bhagavata rajahiraja Sri Kumaragupta Mahendraditya'. 14mm in diameter. VF, scarce. Mitchiner ACW 4845 - 4854. Stock #22443. US$ 18.00

The Gupta Empire - Silver drachm of King Kumaragupta I (414 - 455 AD). Bust of king, right / Formalized Garuda standing facing with spread wings. In Brahmi:'Parama-bhagavata rajahiraja Sri Kumaragupta Mahendraditya'. 14mm in diameter. EF, scarce. Mitchiner ACW 4845 - 4854. Stock #22437. US$ 22.00

The Gupta Empire - Silver drachm of King Kumaragupta I (414 - 455 AD). Bust of king, right / Formalized Garuda standing facing with spread wings. In Brahmi:'Parama-bhagavata rajahiraja Sri Kumaragupta Mahendraditya'. 14mm in diameter. F, scarce. Mitchiner ACW 4845 - 4854. Stock #22433. US$ 12.50 SOLD
Skadagupta (455-480 AD)

The Gupta Empire - Silver drachm of King Skandagupta (455 -480 AD). Bust of king, right / Humped bull seated right. In Brahmi:'Parama-bhagavata Sri Skandagupta Kramaditya'. 10mm. Scarce. Mitchiner ACW 4879 - 4882. Stock #22448. US$ 18.00

The Gupta Empire - Silver drachm of King Skandagupta (455 -480 AD). Bust of king, right / Humped bull seated right. In Brahmi:'Parama-bhagavata Sri Skandagupta Kramaditya'. 11mm. Scarce. Mitchiner ACW 4879 - 4882. Stock #22442. US$ 21.00 SOLD

The Gupta Empire - Silver drachm of King Skandagupta (455 -480 AD). Bust of king, right / Humped bull seated right. In Brahmi:'Parama-bhagavata Sri Skandagupta Kramaditya'. 11mm. Scarce. Mitchiner ACW 4879 - 4882. Stock #22432. US$ 18.00

The Gupta Empire - Silver drachm of King Skandagupta (455 -480 AD). Bust of king, right / Humped bull seated right. In Brahmi:'Parama-bhagavata Sri Skandagupta Kramaditya'. 11mm. Scarce. Mitchiner ACW 4879 - 4882. Stock #22441. US$ 16.00

The Gupta Empire - Silver drachm of King Skandagupta (455 -480 AD). Bust of king, right / Humped bull seated right. In Brahmi:'Parama-bhagavata Sri Skandagupta Kramaditya'. 11mm. Scarce. Mitchiner ACW 4879 - 4882. Stock #22440. US$ 14.00

The Gupta Empire - Silver drachm of King Skandagupta (455 -480 AD). Bust of king, right / Humped bull seated right. In Brahmi:'Parama-bhagavata Sri Skandagupta Kramaditya'. 11mm. Scarce. Mitchiner ACW 4879 - 4882. Stock #22461. US$ 24.00

The Gupta Empire - Silver drachm of King Skandagupta (455 -480 AD). Bust of king, right / Humped bull seated right. In Brahmi:'Parama-bhagavata Sri Skandagupta Kramaditya'. 11mm. Scarce. Mitchiner ACW 4879 - 4882. Stock #22465. US$ 12.00

The Gupta Empire - Silver drachm of King Skandagupta (455 -480 AD). Bust of king, right / Humped bull seated right. In Brahmi:'Parama-bhagavata Sri Skandagupta Kramaditya'. 11mm. Scarce. Mitchiner ACW 4879 - 4882. Stock #22468. US$ 16.00 SOLD

The Gupta Empire - Silver drachm of King Skandagupta (455 -480 AD). Bust of king, right / Humped bull seated right. In Brahmi:'Parama-bhagavata Sri Skandagupta Kramaditya'. 11mm. Scarce. Mitchiner ACW 4879 - 4882. Stock #22470. US$ 14.00
Anonymous late Gupta issues (ca.520-600 AD)

These coins are not well-researched and are attributed to the late Gupta period because of the find spots of a few known hoards. They are rare and appear on the market rarely and in small groups (like these coins, all of which were found in the same hoard).

The Gupta Empire - Anonymous silver drachm (ca.520-600 AD). Very crude bust of king right / dots. 13mm. Scarce. Stock #23395. US$ 12.50

The Gupta Empire - Anonymous silver drachm (ca.520-600 AD). Very crude bust of king right / dots. 13mm. Scarce. Stock #23396. US$ 12.50

The Gupta Empire - Anonymous silver drachm (ca.520-600 AD). Very crude bust of king right / dots. 13mm. Scarce. Stock #23397. US$ 12.50

The Gupta Empire - Anonymous silver drachm (ca.520-600 AD). Very crude bust of king right / dots. 13mm. Scarce. Stock #23394. US$ 12.50

The Gupta Empire - Anonymous silver drachm (ca.520-600 AD). Very crude bust of king right / dots. 13mm. Scarce. Stock #23393. US$ 12.50

The Gupta Empire - Anonymous silver drachm (ca.520-600 AD). Very crude bust of king right / dots. 13mm. Scarce. Stock #23392. US$ 12.50

The Gupta Empire - local imitations

The Gupta Empire - local imitations of a silver drachm of King Kumaragupta I (414 - 455 AD). Crude bust of king, right / Formalized Garuda standing facing with spread wings, degraded Brahmi inscriptions. 11 mm in diameter, scarce. Stock #22467. US$ 14.00

Successors of Guptas - Kingdom of the Maitrakas of Valabhi

Towards the middle of the 5th century A.D., the Gupta empire started to decline. Senapati Bhatarka, the Maitrak general of the Guptas, took advantage of the situation. in 470 AD,, he laid the foundation of his kingdom of Valabhi what came to be known as the Maitrak kingdom. He shifted his capital from Girinager to Valabhipur, near Bhavnagar, on Saurashtra's east coast. Maitrak of Valabhi became very powerful and their writ prevailed over large parts of Gujarat and even over adjoining Malwa.

Bhataraka was succeeded by his son Dharasena-I, both of them called themselves, Senapatis ! The next five rulers namely Dronasimha, Dhruvasena-I, Darpatta, Guhasena and Dharasena-II were called Maharajas. Dharasena-II was succeeded by his son Siladitya-I Dharmaditya. He ruled between 606 AD and 612 AD, covered an extensive territory and Valabhi was the most powerful kingdom in Western India. Siladitya was succeeded by his son Dharasena-III who annexed Gujarat to his territory. A successor of hasty temper, Dhruvasena-II, the younger brother of Dharasena-III ruled till 641 AD. He was a religious character, and he attended many Buddhist assemblies.

There was a lot of trouble during the after the death of Dharasena-IV, but was only restored during the next ruler Siladitya-III. The successors of Siladitya-III were Siladitya-IV, Siladitya-V, Siladitya-VI and Siladitya-VII. It was during the reign of Siladitya-VII, the family of Valabhi came to an end. The rise and growth of the Chalukyas, Pratiharas, and Rashtrakutas was a serious menace to Valabhi and was partially the cause for its end..

Maitrakas set up a university which came to be known far and wide for its scholastic pursuits and was compared with the famous Nalanda university. There was an atmosphere for intellectual freedom in the university and the scholars from all parts of India came to Valabhi and stayed for more than two to three years to discuss 'Possible and Impossible Doctrines'

They issued coins (drachms) in the style of Western Kshatrapas. Though one can't see any artistic talents of their own, the excellent minting techniques could be observed. The obverse of their coinage carried a stylished bust presenting military characteristics on the face of the ruler, and the reverse carried their name and the title in Brahmi legend.

Kingdom of the Maitrakas of Valabhi, Anonymous silver drachm (470 - 800 AD), Early issue, rare as such. Bust of king right / Trident with curved prongs and side-arm. Corrupt Brahmi legend. 11mm, VF for this crude type. Mitchiner ACW 4897 - 4898 Stock #22474. US$ 26.00 SOLD

Kingdom of the Maitrakas of Valabhi, Anonymous silver drachm (470 - 800 AD), Early issue, rare as such. Bust of king right / Trident with curved prongs and side-arm. Corrupt Brahmi legend. 11mm, aVF for this crude type. Mitchiner ACW 4897 - 4898 Stock #22475. US$ 21.00 SOLD

Kingdom of the Maitrakas of Valabhi, Anonymous silver drachm (470 - 800 AD). Bust of king right / Trident with curved prongs and side-arm. Corrupt Brahmi legend. 11mm, VF for this crude type. Mitchiner ACW 4897 - 4898 Stock #22464. US$ 14.00

Kingdom of the Maitrakas of Valabhi, Anonymous silver drachm (470 - 800 AD). Bust of king right / Trident with curved prongs and side-arm. Corrupt Brahmi legend. 11mm, obverse struck off-flan, VF for this crude type. Mitchiner ACW 4897 - 4898 Stock #22469. US$ 13.00

Kingdom of the Maitrakas of Valabhi, Anonymous silver drachm (470 - 800 AD). Bust of king right / Trident with curved prongs and side-arm. Corrupt Brahmi legend. 11mm, VF for this crude type. Mitchiner ACW 4897 - 4898 Stock #22471. US$ 14.00

Kingdom of the Maitrakas of Valabhi, Anonymous silver drachm (470 - 800 AD). Bust of king right / Trident with curved prongs and side-arm. Corrupt Brahmi legend. 11mm, VF for this crude type. Mitchiner ACW 4897 - 4898 Stock #22472. US$ 14.00

Kingdom of the Maitrakas of Valabhi, Anonymous silver drachm (470 - 800 AD). Bust of king right / Trident with curved prongs and side-arm. Corrupt Brahmi legend. 11mm, VF for this crude type. Mitchiner ACW 4897 - 4898 Stock #22476. US$ 16.00 SOLD

Kingdom of the Maitrakas of Valabhi, Anonymous silver drachm (470 - 800 AD). Bust of king right / Trident with curved prongs and side-arm. Corrupt Brahmi legend. 11mm, Weakly struck all over, F for this crude type. Mitchiner ACW 4897 - 4898 Stock #22434. US$ 10.00

Kingdom of the Maitrakas of Valabhi, Anonymous silver drachm (470 - 800 AD). Bust of king right / Trident with curved prongs and side-arm. Corrupt Brahmi legend. 11mm, VF for this crude type. Mitchiner ACW 4897 - 4898 Stock #22436. US$ 15.00 SOLD