1880.] H. Rivett-Carnac — Coins of the Sungn Di/nasty. 89 



coins. Not one single specimen sliows, with any distinctness, the design 

 on the reverse. Two of the best in this respect that I have, are marked 

 Nos. 20, 21. On these a female iigure, resembling that on the coins of 

 Phaguni Mitra can just be made out. 



Bhanu Mitra. The device on Nos. 22, 23 is tolerably clear. The 

 sun with pointed rays surmounts a semicircle which may be intended to 

 represent a serpent. Below is what may be taken for a squat figure sup- 

 porting the sun (?) but the device is perhaps hardly sufficiently distinct to 

 admit of any very satisfactory conclusion being drawn. This may possibly 

 be aided by coins of other types in the possession of the Society or figured 

 in books which are not at my disposal. 



Stmja Mitra, Nos, 24, 25. Here, as the name denotes, is the 

 sun surmounting what would seem to be a triangular-shaped altar 

 with the staff of victory on either side. Here also the staff has the 

 cross-bars as in Bhmi Mitra's coins. 



To these I have added a coin of Indra Mitra, No. 26, similar to those 

 already sent. This coin has I believe been found before. The device on 

 the reverse is somewhat diffei'ent from those already noticed, and shows a 

 standing figure on a square platform, like that on the coins of Bhumi and 

 Agni Mitra. In the right hand of the figure is a sceptre ? The Staff of 

 Victory noticed in the other coins is wanting here. 



It will be seen that of the seven kings whose coins are noticed above, 

 six of them adopted a different device. As regards the coins of Bhadra- 

 ffhosa, it is not possible to speak with certainty. It will be noticed too that 

 these six Mitras have all included the sun, or the rays of the sun on their 

 coins, suggesting possibly their Mitra or Mithraic origin. The symbols on 

 the obverse of the coins have been described by Mr. Carlleyle, and in all 

 cases the design is the same or nearly the same. There is little or no 

 difference in the shape of the letters used. The legend is surmounted by 

 three symbols which are in all cases the same, although in the coins of 

 Bhadragliosa and Bhanu Mitra the central symbol appears to have been 

 punched in separately. All this would seem to suggest that these seven 

 kings belong to the same dynasty. Mr. Carlleyle has attributed them 

 to the Sunga kings, who, according to Prinsep and other authorities, 

 commenced to reign over Magadha about 172 B. C. 



I shall be glad if the Society can afford me any information regarding 

 these kings — the succession in which they reigned and the probable dates 

 of the coins. 



In Prinsep' s list Agni Mitra appears next after Puslipa Mitra the 

 first of the line. And this arrangement coincides with that given by 

 Wilford and others in the Asiatic Kesearches. If the condition of the coin 

 and the quantity in which it is found are of any significance, then Agni 



