Kumaragupta I - Coins issued in variety of designs, the most common being Horseman, Archer and Lion Slayer (distant 3rd). Of the Horseman series, the major classes are I, II and III based on the reverse and the Goddess holding either a diadem, lotus stalk or feeding a peacock respectively.
Dad purchased a Class I, Variety C dinar. Coins do appear periodically through Stephen Album rare coins (SARC) and are selling in the $2000-$2500 range, but these are in better condition with stronger strikes.
The offerings are all Class III (variety B, D and A) and I would be happy to own any one or all of them.
Auction strategy: 32170 (VF, very rare) go to $2400 (get a feel for pricing), 32171(XF extremely rare) be prepared for $5000+, 32172 (about XF, very rare) plan for $2800
Chandragupta II - Coins issued in a variety of designs with the Archer type the far and away most common with Horseman type and Chhatra type a distant second and third. Among Archery type, the major classes are I, II and III based on the obverse and the King offering oblations, reaching for an arrow from quiver or holding a bow and arrow respectively.
We have been able to acquire five coins (3 Archer, 1 Chhatra, 1 Lion Slayer). The Archer types were purchased through SARC and are all are Class III (Class I variety A is unique with fire alter visible and variety B being common with king dropping oblations and holding an arrow). Coins have appeared frequently through SARC and Heritage Auctions in the $2000-$2500 range.
The offerings are Class III A.5.2 (less common) and A.3 (more common). We have a Class III A.5.1 that this would pair nicely with. We have a Class III A.3, but this example shows significantly less wear. I have not seen Class I at auction. Class II are limited to four specimens and I will not be able to add them to my collection.
Auction strategy: 32173 (choice XF) get the lumber behind this one, it is a really nice strike maybe $3000. 32174 (choice XF, light graffito) while certainly an attractive coin and my last chance to buy from the auction, upper limit would be $1800, excellent detail, but not as well struck.
32170 INDIA. Gupta Empire. Kumaragupta I Mahendraditya (ca. AD 409-450). AV dinar (18mm, 8.16 gm, 12h). Choice VF, edge mark. Horseman type. Guptakulamalachandro Mahendrakarma'jito jayati (Brahmi), Kumaragupta I on horseback prancing left, bow with bowstring outward in left hand, sword hanging from hip, wearing dhoti, armbands, and jeweled necklace, horse with jeweled braided mane / Ajitamahendrah (Brahmi), Lakshmi seated left on a wicker stool, lotus stalk in left hand, feeding bunch of grapes to peacock standing right at left; no tamgha in fields, dotted border. Kumar Class III.B, pg. 313. Mitchiner 4841-4842. Solidly struck from high-relief dies on a bright flan. Excellent centering and finely detailed. Very rare. A satiny, pale gold offering that has light apricot patina filling some of the deeper recesses, and a small filing mark on the edge.
Ex Tamco Numismatics, private sale with old dealer's tag included.
32171 INDIA. Gupta Empire. Kumaragupta I Mahendraditya (ca. AD 409-450). AV dinar (20mm, 8.26 gm, 12h). XF. Horseman type. Kshitipatirajito vijayi Kumaragupto jayatyajitah (Brahmi), Kumaragupta I, nimbate, on horseback prancing right with no weapons, wearing dhoti, armbands, and jeweled necklace, horse with jeweled braided mane / Ajitamahendrah (Brahmi), Lakshmi, nimbate, seated left on a wicker stool, lotus stalk in left hand, feeding bunch of grapes to peacock standing right at left; no tamgha in fields, dotted border. Kumar Class III.D, pg. 314. Mitchiner 4836. Extremely rare. A sharp, butterscotch offering exhibiting very little wear.
Ex Tamco Numismatics, private sale with old dealer's tag included.
32172 INDIA. Gupta Empire. Kumaragupta I Mahendraditya (ca. AD 409-450). AV dinar (18mm, 8.16 gm, 12h). About XF. Horseman type. Gupta Kula Vyomasasi Jyatyajeyo Jitamahendrah (Brahmi), Kumaragupta I, nimbate, on horseback prancing right, bow with bowstring outward in left hand, bare-chested, wearing dhoti, armbands, and jeweled necklace, horse with jeweled braided mane / Ajitamahendrah (Brahmi), Lakshmi, nimbate, seated left on a wicker stool, lotus stalk in left hand, feeding bunch of grapes to peacock standing right at left; no tamgha in fields. Kumar Class III.A, pg. 313. Mitchiner 4839. Solidly struck from high-relief dies on a bright flan. Excellent centering and finely detailed. Very rare.
32173 INDIA. Gupta Empire. Chandragupta II Vikramaditya (ca. AD 380-413). AV dinar (19mm, 7.93 gm, 12h). Choice XF. Archer type. Deva Sri Maharajadhiraja Sri Chandragupta (Brahmi), Chandragupta II standing facing, nimbate head left, wearing short curly hair, tight-fitting Kushana style clothing, and jeweled armbands, arrow in right hand, grounded bow in left; Garuda standard to left, Chandra to inner right / Sri Vikramah (Brahmi), Lakshmi, nimbate, seated in the padmasana posture on a lotus, diadem in right hand, left hand resting on knee and holding lotus; tamgha to left, dotted border. Kumar Class III A.5.2, pg. 243. Mitchiner 4796-4797. Deeply struck from fresh, high-relief dies on thick flan with light orange toning.
UPDATE 8/18/2023
- 32170 - My estimate $2,500, hammered for $6,500
- 32171 - My estimate $6,000, hammered for $13,000
- 32172 - My estimate $3,000, hammered for $9,500
- 32173 - My estimate $3,000, hammered for $6,500
- 32174 - My estimate $2,500, hammered for $1,900 (I bid $1,800 and was outbid, I considered going to $2,000 but chickened out.
No comments:
Post a Comment