2016-11-16 Wed

We have written a lot of articles on Gupta Gold coins. So don’t get confused that the Gupta’s only issued gold coins.

Well…They also issued silver, copper and lead coin.

The early Gupta rulers like Chandragupta I and Samudragupta issued only Gold coins. The change is noticed in the metal from Chandragupta II (Vikramaditya) who thought of minting silver coins and it was later continued by other rulers of Gupta dynasty.

Vast varieties of silver coins were issued by Kumaragupta. He was the first ruler who stylised the different types of coins and issued around 13 different types of coins. A sudden change is observed in his coins, the standard garud got transformed to peacock.

Here, we also see the two different types making its new entry (Western and Madhyedesha type). The coins circulated in the western territory of Gupta are the Western type and the coins circulated in the parts of central India are known as Madhyadesha type.

Wasn’t Kumargupta very innovative and creative?

So next time you hear ‘Gupta is a Golden Age of Ancient India’ remember Gupta is more than just Gold.

Very few copper and square lead coins were issued by later Gupta rulers.

A downfall in the Gupta economy is seen from their coinage from gold to silver and later to lead and copper.