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Skandagupta proved his military mettle while still a prince and succeeded his father upon his death. His reign was characterized by a constant struggle to maintain
his empire, first against the Pushyamitras and then against the Huns. Although he was able to repel the Hun invasion, it is possible that he lost the extreme northwestern part of
the empire to them. Skandagupta reigned c. 455-467.
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| Gold Coins |
Early Coins with low weight standard - Archer type |
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Skandagupta, gold dinar, c. 455-467
Weight: 8.40 gm., Diam: 20 mm.
King standing left, holding an Indian long bow in his left hand and an arrow in his right
Garuda standard at left, Brāhmī legend under arm: skanda
circular Brāhmī legend around /
Lakshmi seated facing, holding long-stemmed lotus and diadem,
Brāhmī legend at right: sri skandaguptah
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It appears that Skandagupta's initial coinage was struck at the old dinar weight standard. These coins are much
rarer than the later coins struck to the suvarna standard. The early archer type had a diameter of around 20 mm and the reverse legend was sri skandaguptah.
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King and Lakshmi type |
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Skandagupta, gold dinar, c. 455-467
Weight: 8.47 gm., Diam: 20 mm.
King standing at left, facing right and holding an Indian long bow in his left hand
and an arrow in his right
Lakshmi ? standing at right, facing left and offering an indistinct object to the king
Garuda standard between the two figures,
circular Brāhmī legend around /
Lakshmi seated facing, holding long-stemmed lotus and diadem,
Brāhmī legend at right: sri skandaguptah
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The identity of the female figure on the obverse is debated, with some arguing that it represents the queen, and others
claiming it is Lakshmi. The fact that she holds a long-stemmed lotus suggests the figure is Lakshmi.
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Chhatra type |
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Skandagupta, gold dinar, c. 455-467
Weight: 8.41 gm., Diam: 20 mm.
King standing left, sacrificing at fire altar at left,
attendant standing at right, holding up a parasol over the king,
circular Brāhmī legend around /
Lakshmi standing part left, holding diadem and long-stemmed lotus
Brāhmī legend at right: kramaditya
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The Chhatra or "Royal Parasol" type of Skandagupta is extremely rare. Altekar reports that only one specimen
of this type was known to him; that was from the Bayana hoard.
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Later Coins with heavy weight standard - Archer type |
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Skandagupta, gold suvarna, c. 455-467
Weight: 9.12 gm., Diam: 22 mm.
King standing left, holding an Indian long bow in his left hand and an arrow in his right
Garuda standard at left, Brāhmī legend under arm: skanda
circular Brāhmī legend around /
Lakshmi seated facing, holding long-stemmed lotus and diadem,
Brāhmī legend at right: kramadityah
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This is the more common archer type of Skandagupta, struck on a larger flan to the heavier suvarna standard, and
featuring the reverse legend kramadityah. It appears that the Archer type was the only type struck to this standard.
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| Silver Coins |
Garuda type |
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Skandagupta, silver drachma, c. 455-467
Weight: 2.10 gm., Diam: 13 mm.
Head of king right, date behind ? /
Stylized Garuda standing facing, with wings spread,
Brāhmī legend around:
paramabhāgavata maharajadhiraja sri skandagupta kramaditya
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The Garuda type of silver coins of Skandagupta continued the series of coins issued by Chandragupta II and
Kumaragupta I which were based on Western Kshatrapa prototypes. On this coin, the sun above the Garuda figure is to the left.
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Bull type |
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Skandagupta, silver drachma, c. 455-467
Weight: 1.76 gm., Diam: 13 mm.
Head of king right /
Couchant bull right, Brāhmī legend around:
paramabhāgavata maharajadhiraja sri skandagupta kramaditya
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Skandagupta issued some new silver types ... this type with a bull on the reverse, and the next coin, with an altar on the
reverse.
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Altar type |
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Skandagupta, silver drachma, c. 455-467
Weight: 1.67 gm., Diam: 12 mm.
Head of king right /
Fire altar, Brāhmī legend around:
paramabhāgavata maharajadhiraja sri skandagupta kramaditya
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Madhyadesa type |
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Skandagupta, silver drachma, c. 455-467
Weight: 2.48 gm., Diam: 14-15 mm.
Head of king right /
Stylized peacock standing facing, with wings spread,
Brāhmī legend around:
vijitavaniravanipati jayati divam skandaguptoyam
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The Madhyadesa coins of Skandagupta follow the similar types of Kumaragupta and come from Uttar Pradesh.
Skanda is another name (like Kumara) for Karttikeya, whose vahana was the peacock.
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Skandagupta, silver drachma, dated 465
Weight: 2.41 gm., Diam: 15-16 mm.
Head of king right, date before: 145 /
Stylized peacock standing facing, with wings spread,
Brāhmī legend around:
vijitavaniravanipati jayati divam skandaguptoyam
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The Madhyadesa coins carry a (Gupta era) date not behind the king's head (as on the Western style coins) but
in front of the king's face. This coin carries the date 145 (=465 CE)
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Lead coins |
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Skandagupta, c. 455-467, Lead fraction
Weight: 2.33 gm., Dim: 15 x 12 mm., Die axis = 9 o'clock
Garuda standing facing, with wings outstretched, moon and sun above /
Brahmi legend: Sri Skandagu(ptasya), leaf ? above |
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Skandagupta, c. 455-467, Lead fraction
Weight: 2.81 gm., Dim: 13 x 15 mm., Die axis = 9 o'clock
Garuda standing facing, with wings outstretched, moon and sun above /
Brahmi legend: Sri Skandagu(ptasya), leaf ? above, Va (rshe) ? below |
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Skandagupta, c. 455-467, Lead fraction
Weight: 2.31 gm., Dim: 14 x 14 mm., Die axis = 3 o'clock
Garuda standing facing, with wings outstretched, moon and sun above /
Brahmi legend: Sri Skandagu(ptasya), leaf ? above, Va (rshe) ? 140 ? below |
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Skandagupta, c. 455-467, Lead fraction
Weight: 2.27 gm., Diam: 11-15 mm., Die axis = 9 o'clock
Garuda standing facing, with wings outstretched /
Brahmi legend: Sri Skandaguptasya |
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