Item 55 out of 647
Lot # 55 - Gold Dinar Coin of Ashvamedha type of Samudragupta of Gupta Dynasty.
Gold Dinar Coin of Ashvamedha type of Samudragupta of Gupta Dynasty.
Gold Dinar Coin of Ashvamedha type of Samudragupta of Gupta Dynasty. Gold Dinar Coin of Ashvamedha type of Samudragupta of Gupta Dynasty. Gold Dinar Coin of Ashvamedha type of Samudragupta of Gupta Dynasty.
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Start Price 325000 Estimated Price 325000-375000
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Quick Description
DenominationGold Dinara MetalGold
Full Description:

Gupta Dynasty, Samudragupta (345-375 CE), Gold Dinar, "Ashvamedha" type, Obva sacrificial horse standing facing left, behind a sacrificial post (Yupa), which is shown as an elaborate stand with streamers and ribbons flying in the wind; the Yupa has an ornamental pedestal with two steps which are slightly bent in towards the center, the Brahmi letter 'Si' (Siddam) placed on the platform between the horse legs, the Brahmi legend "Raja(dhiraja prithivim vijitya) divam jayatyahru(ta vajimedha)" around the field, Rev: the chief queen in the guise of a goddess standing facing left on a nine-petaled lotus-shaped pedestal, carrying a fly-whisk (Chauri) that rests on her shoulder in right hand, and holding a towel in her left, the Brahmi legend "Ashvame(dha Para)kramah" in the right field and a ritual needle (Soochi/ceremonial spear with ribbons) in the left field, beaded border around the field, 7.48g, 19.79mm, (Altekar, Bayana Hoard # Pl. V-4/Unlisted in TGE, S. Kumar), about very fineExtremely Rare.

Note: The Ashvamedha was one of the grandest of the Vedic religious ceremonies of ancient India, and was performed by a king to celebrate or, to be more precise, affirm their imperial sovereignty. The ceremony is described in detail in various Vedic writings, particularly the Shatapatha Brahmana.

This coin showcases an intriguing aspect, being struck in a distinct style that omits the handle of the fly-whisk (Chauri) held by the goddess in her right hand. It adds an interesting variety for collectors of Gupta coins.