Item 31 out of 628
Lot # 31 - Exceedingly Rare Kartikeya type Gold Dinar of Kumaragupta I alias Mahendraditya of Guptas Dynasty.
Exceedingly Rare Kartikeya type Gold Dinar of Kumaragupta I alias Mahendraditya of Guptas Dynasty.
Exceedingly Rare Kartikeya type Gold Dinar of Kumaragupta I alias Mahendraditya of Guptas Dynasty. Exceedingly Rare Kartikeya type Gold Dinar of Kumaragupta I alias Mahendraditya of Guptas Dynasty. Exceedingly Rare Kartikeya type Gold Dinar of Kumaragupta I alias Mahendraditya of Guptas Dynasty.
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Start Price 550000 Estimated Price 550000-600000
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Quick Description
DenominationGold Dinara MetalGold
Full Description:

Gupta Dynasty, Kumaragupta I alias Mahendraditya (415-455 CE), Gold Dinar, "Kartikeya" type, Obv: the king, nimbate, standing facing to left in front of the Peacock as if giving instructions to it with his right hand raised and left hand resting on the hip, king wearing necklace, wristlet and a short dhoti above the knees with a sash around his waist and falling down, circular Brahmi legend "Jayati svagunair gunarasir (Vrata nihanr-Mahendrah kumarah)", Rev: god Kartikeya riding his vahana the peacock, three fourths to seated facing forward on a peacock perched upon a platform 'Pancharatha pedestal', wearing a dhoti, earnings, necklace, behind him fantail of peacock fully open and providing backdrop, the god Kartikeya is seen showering coins or oblations with his right hand in a Varadamudra pose and left hand holding the Shakti spear resting on the hip, Brahmi legend "(Sri Mahen)drakumarah", 8.09g, 17.02mm, (Variant of Altekar, Bayana Hoard #  Pl. XXVI-12/TGE, S. Kumar # Class II-Var. A), sharply struck in high relief, superb bold strike, strong features, about extremely fine, Exceedingly Rare.

Note:  Kartikeya type was issued by only Kumaragupta I in the Gupta Empire coinage, this innovation was obviously envisioned to be a numismatic homage to the deity. Kartikeya is the Hindu god of war, the son of Lord Shiva, and known by many names, one of which is Kumara. Kumaragupta I was named after War-God Kartikeya whose mount was peacock. The obverse legend arrangement is “Jayati svagunair gunarasir Vrtanihanr Mahendrakumarah”, “जयति स्वगुणेर गुणारसिर व्रतनिहारन - महेंद्रकुमार:” meaning the destroyer of Vrtra, having a wealth of virtues, conquers through his virtues. The reverse portrays God Kartikeya riding a peacock and showering coins with his right hand.