The Silk Road Collection III – ADDENDUM
163
October 23, 2025 – 17:00 CET
200%
3052
Gupta Empire, Samudragupta, c. 335-375, AV dinar, 7.56 g. (21 mm). Obverse: ‘archer’ type; king standing left wearing
tunic over smooth loin cloth with a dagger secured in belt, holding a longbow in left hand and arrow in right,
prominent Garuda standard at left with crescent above, Brahmi inscription samudra below his left arm, circular Brahmi
legend around from 1 o’clock in which the word avaniso replaces the more common sucaritaih. Reverse: goddess
Lakshmi enthroned facing, holding diadem and cornucopia, Brahmi inscription at right, apratirathah, tamgha left,
dotted border around. Kumar, TOTGE 2024, class II. Raven, SG/group 5.
The archer type of Samudragupta was probably struck early on in his reign and continued the common design of
his father Chandragupta I, as suggested by Kumar. The variety is comparatively scarce and Kumar notes that 81 coins
have been recorded so far (Kumar, TOTGE 2024, p. 258). This variety also has a very unusual Brahmi inscription on
the obverse with the word avaniso. Very rare among archer coins.
About VF. Ex Chand Collection British Museum no 7.4.06.
CHF 2’000 - 4’000
3053
Gupta Empire, Samudragupta, c. 335-375, AV dinar, 7.46 g. (21 mm). Obverse: ‘archer’ type; king wearing low cap
and tunic over loin cloth and prominent dagger on belt, standing left, holding a longbow in left hand and arrow in
right, prominent Garuda standard at left with crescent above, Brahmi inscription Samudra below his left arm, circular
Brahmi legend around from 1 o’clock. Reverse: goddess Lakshmi enthroned facing, holding diadem and cornucopia,
Brahmi inscription at right, Apratirathah, tamgha left, dotted border around. Kumar, TOTGE 2024, class II. Raven, SG/
group 5. Very rare among archer coins.
Fine+. Ex Chand Collection British Museum no 1.11.03.
CHF 1’500 - 2’500