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Lot No.162
AUC30
Hindu Coins of Medieval India
Auction Date: 19-05-2018
Gold
Hindu Shahis of Northern Gandhara region, gold ½ dinar of 'Vipilinda', a hitherto unknown ruler, (700-800 AD), 4.19g. Obv: king riding on a horse moving to left, carrying a weapon / standard in one hand and making a gesture of appreciation by the other. Rev: bull seating couchant, facing left; Sarada legend Shri Shahi, clockwise above and Vipilinda anticlockwise below. Unlisted in any publication, unique so far.
Very fine, Unique so far.
This is probably the earliest example of a Shahi 'Bull and Horseman' type, struck in gold to the 'dinar' standard. Palaeography of the legend suggests an 8th century date when Brahmi was gradually being transformed into Sarada script. The known number of surviving Shahi gold coins can be counted on fingers of a hand. The name of the issuer appears to be 'Vipilinda' which is not known from any other sources. Our understanding of the dynastic origins and order of the Shahi ruler is very scant and as such this is a significant addition to the corpus of historical evidence at our disposal.
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Estimated Price :
Rs. 5,00,000-6,00,000
Sold For :
Rs. 11,50,000
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