2021-01-12 Tue

Chandragupta II was the son of Samudragupta, he was the next great emperor of the Gupta Empire after Samudragupta. Chandragupta II was the second ruler of the Gupta Empire, he is also known by the title Vikramaditya. During the reign of Chandragupta II art, architecture, and sculpture and the cultural development of the Gupta Empire reached its highest peak.

After sitting on the throne of the Gupta Empire Chandragupta II expanded the boundaries of this kingdom. One of the most important events of Chandragupta II was the conquest of the Saka Kingdom. He defeated Western Kshatrapas king Rudrasena III and annexed his kingdom.

This ‘Chandra type’ gold dinar which weighs around 7.56g was issued by Chandragupta II during his reign in the Gupta Empire. The obverse of this gold dinar depicts ‘An attendant behind holding a royal umbrella Chhatra over the king’s head, king standing facing to left and offering to the yagna, and a long sword hanging from his waist up to his legs, with Brahmi legend Kshitimvajitya (sucharitairdivamjayati Vikramaditya) around. The reverse of this coin depicts ‘Goddess Lakshmi standing in profile, holding long-stemmed flower and riband with tamgha to left and Brahmi legend Vikramadityah in the right field’.

This gold dinar is listed for INR 1,60,000 in an upcoming auction of Todywalla that will be held in Mumbai on 17th January 2021.

Image Courtesy: Todywalla Auction