Archive Lots

Gupta Empire - Lead coin of Skanda Gupta (450-475 AD), Western India/Gujarat 'Garuda' type, dated GE14X, Pieper 892/893, 2.70 grams. Obv: facing Garuda holding two snakes in the talons of his feet, sun and moon on either side. Rev: Brahmi legend Shri Skanda Gupta with Vaishnavite Sankha-Chakra symbols above; date in Brahmi numerals below. Very fine+, Scarce.

Gupta Empire – Silver drachm of Budha Gupta (c.480-500AD), ‘fan-tailed peacock’ or ‘Madhyadesha’ type, 2.20 grams. Obv: bust of king facing right. Rev: fan-tailed peacock in the center; Sanskrit legend in Brahmi Vijitavaniravanipati Shri Budhagupto Divam Jayati around. Budhagupta was one of the last rulers of the Gupta imperial household. His rule most likely extended to the Western parts of the Empire and he thus bore the brunt of the Hunnic invasions. Very fine, Exceedingly Rare.

Vishnukundins of Vengi - anonymous alloyed Copper Coin (c.500-600 AD), similar to MCSI no.181-182, 4.90 grams. Obv: lion facing to right upraised paw, Shrivatsa and crescent symbols above. Rev: conch shell between two tridents within a rayed circle. Extra fine+, Rare.

North-Western Malwa, Mandsor region, uninscribed post-Gupta Copper coin, attributed to the Aulikaras or the Hunas, c.500-600AD, not in PAIC, 1.90 grams. Obv: wheel within dotted border. Rev: fire altar. Extra fine+, Scarce.

Sindh and Lower Punjab, Silver drachm in the name of Yashaditya (c.600-700 AD), 0.72 grams. Obv: Bust of king facing right. Rev: trident with curved side-prongs, Brahmi legend Shri Yashaditya arranged around it. Very fine+, Scarce.

Nepal - Lichchhavi dynasty (c. AD 576-750), Copper unit struck in the name of Pashupati dated to c. 641-680 AD RGV G.2 #97, 3.10 grams. Obv: wish-fulfilling cow Kamadhenu facing right, crescent above. Rev: Sun in the center, legend Pasupati around, all within a border of dots. Very fine+, Scarce.

Medieval North India, Indo-Sasanian coin, anonymous Silver dramma, ‘Piruz’ imitation series from Rajasthan, c.600-700 AD, KKM 17-18 ff., 4.10 grams. Obv: degenerated Sasanian style bust of the king wearing a winged helmet. Rev: stylized fire altar design copied from Sasanian prototype. Very Fine, Scarce.

Medieval North India, Indo-Sasanian coin, anonymous Silver dramma, ‘Vasudeva’ imitation series from Rajasthan, c.600-700 AD, KKM 956-957 ff., 3.81 grams. Obv: degenerated Sasanian style bust of the king wearing a winged helmet; Brahmi letter ‘Sa’ in the circle above. Rev: stylized fire altar design copied from Sasanian prototype. Very Fine, Scarce.

Kadambas of Goa – Gold Gadyana, Jayakeshi I, (c.1050-1080 AD) unlisted in major publications, 4.21 grams. Obv: lion retrospectant with paw raised. Rev: Nagari legend Shri Malegai Bhairava below a trident symbol (only base visible). The title ‘Malegai Bhairava’ suggests the Kadamba victory overMalenadu or the hilly region of Karnataka located to the East of Goa. This title was first held by Jayakeshi-I and it is seen also on seals accompanying Kadamba copper plate grants. Coins like this are referred to as ‘Bhairava Gadyana’ in Kadamba inscriptions. This coin is of great historic significance, Deep Strike, Well preserved specimen, and Exceedingly Rare.

Chalukyas of Kalyani or their feudatories - Gold punch-marked gadyana, c.1100-1200 AD, 3.50 grams. Obv: nine punches – 5x stylized lion facing left, 2x Kannada letter 'Shri', 1x Kannada legend Niga. and 1x Kannada legend laya. The issuer of this coin appears to be named ‘Nigaleya’ or ‘Nigalaiyya’. His identity is not certain as yet. Very fine+, Scarce.