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Lot No.73
AUC27
Ancient India
Auction Date: 01-04-2017
Base Gold
Sasanian / Hunnic Empire in Sindh and Western Rajasthan, Base Gold Dinara imitating Sasanian designs in the name of 'Jagaprakasha', unpublished in major sources, 6.96g. Obv: Bust of king wearing diadem and an elaborate semi-crenelated crown; Brahmi legend to right Shri Jagapra (kasha). Rev: Sasanian-style altar with luminous Shivalinga at the top, flanked by sun and moon, with two human figures in attendance.
Very Fine+ Extremely Rare.
This is a very rare type of post-Gupta base gold Dinar currency circulating in Western India, drawing inspiration from Sasanian coin designs. We don't know who was 'Jagaprakasha' whose name the coin bears, but chances are that he was an early Rajput ruler, likely of Hunnic ancestry. The motif of the 'illuminated Linga' on altar on the reverse is most interesting, and throws important light on how the Iranian Solar cult mixed with Shaivism at this time. The cataloguer is aware of only two other coins of this type in existence, one of which is in the collection of the American Numismatic Society, New York.
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Estimated Price :
Rs. 2,00,000-2,50,000
Sold For :
Rs. 2,20,000
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