Page images
PDF
EPUB
[graphic][graphic][graphic]

1

[merged small][graphic]
[merged small][merged small][merged small][graphic][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small]

COPPER COINS OF THE "PURI KUSHAN" TYPE, FOUND AT RAKHA

IN SINGHBHUM DISTRICT (FIGS. 1-12).

FIG. 18. GOLD COIN OF KANISHKA IN THE INDIA MUSEUM.

Particulars of the coins shown on the Plate-contd. III.-Notes on Indian Numismatics.

Size

Weight Figure (grains,) (inches.)

13

Obverse.

8 Gold coin of Kaniska. Catalogue of Coins in the India Museum, Calcutta, Volume I, Coin No. 3, page 70. Given for comparison of the figures.

120-2

Reverse.

King Standing 1. bearded,
wearing peaked cap or
helmet, coat, trousers and
cloak, grasping a rein 1.
hand and holding elephant
goad in r. hand over altar.
sword at waist.

Male
moon-god
standing 1. dead;
clad in tunic and
robe; with right
hand extended
holding (?) calli-
pers and
left
hand resting on
hip; a crescent
moon springs
from his should-

ers and he wears a sword at his side.

By R. D. Banerji, M.A.

1-SAMUDRAGUPTA-SPEARMAN TYPE.

Coins of this type of the gold coinage of Samudragupta [Plate 1, No. 1] have been found in large numbers all over Northern India, but so far very few coins have been found in Bengal proper. The recorded finds of Imperial Gupta coins in Bengal do not include a specimen of this type, A coin of this type I found in the possession of Lord Carmichael, late Governor of Bengal. It was found some years ago while a tank was being excavated at Chakdighi in the Burdwan District. The land in which the coin was found belongs to Raja Mani Lal Singh Roy of Chakdighi who presented it to Lord Carmichael. I am indebted to Lord Carmichael for permission to publish this coin. The specimen is remarkable for the exceptional purity of its metal. It weighs 117 grs. and is a very well preserved specimen of the type of B. M. C. Allan, page 1, No. 1 (standard type).

II.-YASAS.

Rai Radhakrishna Jalan Bahadur, Banker and Reis of Patna, possesses a coin cabinet which is exceptionally rich in Gupta coins. He possesses a specimen of that king of doubtful identity the only known specimen of whose coinage is in the cabinet of the Indian Museum, Calcutta.1 The Patna coin is a duplicate of the specimen described by Mr. V. A. Smith, but on the other hand it is a much better specimen, the legends on which are clearly legible. The name under the right armpit is clearly

1 V. A. Smith: Catalogue of Coins in the Indian Museum, Calcutta, Vol. I, p. 120, No. 1, Pl. XVI, No. 11,

[graphic][merged small][merged small][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed]
« PreviousContinue »