Treasures of the Gupta Empire: A Numismatic History of the Golden Age of India

For over 2,000 years, coins have been a part of India's history. But among them, the gold coins issued by the Gupta Dynasty from the 4th to the 6th centuries AD stand out for their stunning beauty and intricate designs. These coins, minted during the reigns of Chandragupta I in AD 319 through Vi ugupta in AD 543, offer a unique glimpse into the evolution of the Gupta style and its influence on religious art during India's Golden Age. By decoding the artistic designs, Brahmi legends, dates, and iconography on these coins, we can reconstruct the fascinating history of the dynasty. The first edition of this book has been widely accepted as an authoritative work, and become the standard reference for the Gupta dynasty coinage. In this second edition, the entire Gupta coinage has been documented, classification has been updated, and rarity of the coins has been identified. New findings based on latest research helps to provide a revised chronology using dates and data from coins, inscriptions, seals and copper plates. Since Dr. A. S. Altekar's comprehensive catalogue in 1957, no one had attempted to document the entire series of Gupta Dynasty coinage. This new book now carries on with that endeavour. It features the entire corpus of the rarest coins, many of which are being published for the first time, sourced from major museum collections worldwide as well as private collections, including the prestigious Shivlee Collection. Designed as a guidebook for history enthusiasts, scholars, and collectors, Treasures of the Gupta Empire aims to deepen understanding of the Gupta Dynasty's intricate history. It serves as a comprehensive reference on Gupta Dynasty numismatics. The depth of the research documented within will help scholars and researchers for decades to come. Read more