A lovely example exhibiting a rich golden hue and excellent eye appeal.
Very fine, Very rare.

Kumaragupta I issued an impressive and diverse series of gold coins, continuing the high artistry and rich iconographic tradition of the Gupta period. His gold dinars display a wide variety of types - a few of which include the Archer, Swordsman, Lion Slayer, and the celebrated Karttikeya type - each highlighting aspects of royal virtue, martial strength, and religious devotion. Kumara was the nickname of Kartikeya, the son of Shiva and Hindu god of war, who rode peacock into battle. Kumaragupta I had adopted the title Mahendraditya, in reference to the nickname of the Hindu deity Indra (Mahendra), the king of the gods.

The Tumen (Tumain) inscription of Kumaragupta (Epigraphia Indica, Vol. 26, Pg. 146-147) adds valuable context to the imperial epithets found on his coinage. The inscription reads, “The son of the illustrious Chandragupta is Kumaragupta, who is like the great Indra and who protected the whole earth, embracing her as a virtuous wife”. The inscription praises Kumaragupta as a divinely empowered, righteous, and protective ruler, equal in splendour to God Indra, who guards and cherishes his kingdom with the same devotion with which a noble man honours his virtuous spouse.