2026-07-08 Wed

Samudragupta - the most illustrious emperor of the Gupta dynasty issued many and mainly gold coins other than iconic Aswhamedha type dinars. Other than rare pedigree issues, lyrist/lute player dinars, his standard type coins bearing the Garuda standards are very popular. Garuda - the eagle vahana of Lord Vishnu. Garuda is found depicted on Gupta gold and lower-denomination lead/copper coins. Garuda was royal standard of Gupta dynasty - and depicting them on coins was a deliberate symbol of the dynasty's Vaishnavite affiliation, expressing power of eagle, and diving connection with lord Vishnu. Garuda symbolizes speed, strength, and victory over evil - Garuda is often shown holding serpents/nagas in its claws and hovering over them. As lord Vishnu's Vahana, Garuda represents the king's role as upholder of Vishnu's order on earth - a common motif for legitimizing rule in ancient India. This religious symbolism is consistent across Gupta coinage, alongside other Vaishnava elements like the king standing before a Garuda standard/banner, Lakshmi on reverse, or the king holding chakra (discus) which are associated with Lord Vishnu. On the dinar above, on obverse, Emperor Samudragupta is shown nimbate, standing left, holding rajadanda, offering on altar to left; Samudra in Gupta Brahmi below arm, garu?adhvaja adorned to left. the reverse shows goddess Lakshmi seated facing on throne, holding diadem in her right hand, cradling cornucopia in her left arm; tamgha to left. These standard type gold dinars of emperor Samudra Gupta hold high artistic and numismatic merits.

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