2026-07-16 Thu

Adding another remarkable piece to our Gupta Empire coinage series, this coin features the Purna Kumbha (Kalasha) on the obverse and the Brahmi legend “Chandra” on the reverse.

This coin was issued during the reign of Chandragupta II, one of the greatest emperors of the Gupta dynasty. He ruled approximately from [c. 375/380 to c. 415 CE] and is credited with bringing the Gupta Empire to its political and cultural zenith. His reign was marked by successful military expansion, strategic diplomacy through marriage alliances, and exceptional patronage of art, literature, and learning.

Under his rule, the empire reached its peak, extending from the Oxus region in the west to Bengal in the east, and from the Himalayas in the north to the Narmada River in the south, with influence reaching even further into peninsular India. He also elevated Ujjain as an important secondary center also described as a second capital which flourished as a hub of culture and administration.

The Chinese pilgrim Fa-Hien, who visited India during his reign, described the empire as peaceful, prosperous, and well-governed. Chandragupta II’s court is renowned for the Navaratnas (Nine Gems), a group of eminent scholars and poets. The most celebrated among them was the great Sanskrit poet and dramatist Kalidasa, author of masterpieces such as Abhijnanashakuntalam, Meghaduta, and Raghuvamsha.

Chandragupta II issued some of the finest and most artistically refined coins of the Gupta period. His gold coinage is especially admired for its exquisite engraving, dynamic compositions, haloed with nimbate figures, and rich iconography. These gold coins are broadly classified into types such as Archer, Lion-slayer, Horseman, Sceptre, and Chhatra. In addition to gold coins, he also issued silver drachms and copper/lead coinage.

The Kumbha or Ghata is a symbol of wealth and prosperity in Indian culture. Purna Ghata (the full Kumbha) denotes Lakshmi. Many Hindu rituals invariably will have Kumbha or a ceremony of Ghata Sthapan for starting auspicious events at home and elsewhere.

The Kumbha type coins of Guptas are very rare.

You can also read more about, Silver Peacock –Madhyadesha type Coin of Skanda Gupta