234 



Numismatic Gleanings. [no. 6, new series, 



ma-kumVha, may be perceived and above the sides of the portico, 

 representations of the lotus. This is a subject of frequent recur- 

 rence in Buddhist sculptures, and may be seen repeatedly on the 

 sculptures from Dipaldinni in the Central Museum. 



^•Reverse : a scroll or arabesque of foliage. This appears to have 



been adopted very generally for the reverse of the earliest double 



die coins of which we shall find repeated instances as we go on, 



. from all parts of the country. 



»- 



From the Ceded Districts ; weight grains 60*1. 



These last examples conclude the series of ihe earlier descrip- 

 tions of coinage, by bringing us to the introduction of a more im- 

 proved system, of mintage. But it will still be necessary to recur 

 to earlier and less perfect specimens in describing future plates, in 

 which it has been found necessary to arrange the pieces with re- 

 ference to the prevailing type represented on them, in default of 

 means for ascertaining their connection more accurately, on histori- 

 cal and chronological data. 



P1 IX The lion is one of the most favorite symbols 



Sinha type. represented on Buddhist sculptures. It forms 

 the crowning ornament of th celebrated lafhs or columns of north- 

 ern India, the most remarkable of which are the Allahabad column, 

 ' those of Bettiah, Bakra &c, described in the Journal of the Asia- 

 tic Society of Bengal.* It occjvrs prominently among the orna- 

 ments of ancient and modern dehgopes. Among the marbles from 

 Dipaldinni in the Central Museum are statues of the lion which 

 occupied the summits of lafhs or pillars at the gateways of the 

 edifice and representations of winged lions, reviving associations 

 with the Arian origin of the founders of Buddhism, appear in bold 

 relief on the friezes, in the same collection. It was to be expected 

 therefore that this animal would form a favorite symbol on the 

 coinage of the sect and Plate ix. exhibits examples of its applica- 

 tion to such a purpose. 



Figs. 34, 35, 36a, all of gold, bring us back to the punch-coins. 

 Obverse off 34 ; normal symbol a swastika or cross with the limbs 



* J. A. S. B. III. 105, 482, IV. 121, 125, 



