2023-10-16 Mon

The Samatata Mainamati region is an important Buddhist site in Bangladesh. Buddhism was patronized from the 7th century till the 9th century by all the rulers of this region.

This particular coin is a Gold Dinar weighing 5.45 gm of post-Gupta Bengal, imitating Gupta coinage. The obverse features a king standing in Tribhanga position, holding a bow and arrow, a ’Chakra’ standard on his right with the Brahmi letter Sri on the top and Brahmi legend ‘Chakra’ below the hand holding the bow. On the reverse, it features Lakshmi seated cross-legged on a lotus, holding a long-stemmed lotus bud in one hand and a pointed object in the other.

According to Bose and Nasir, the legend ‘Chakra’ is not used for a ruler but the Buddhist ’Wheel of Law.’

This Dinar was sold for INR 2, 50,000 at the Todywalla Auctions held in Mumbai on 7th October 2023.

Image Courtesy: Todywalla Auctions.