1884.] V. A. Smith .—Gold Coins of the Imperial Gvpta Dynasty. 123 
E, E 2 E &. Such a notation is confusing and gives little assistance to 
the memory. I have ventured on a novel nomenclature which will, it is 
hoped, prove appropriate and convenient.* The devices, both obverse 
and reverse, of the Gupta gold coins display a remarkable amount of 
variety in conception and execution, and thus afford ample facilities for 
classification. The obverse devices, when regarded with reference to the 
most prominent or characteristic feature in each, are readily divisible 
into 19 classes, of which few are common to two or more reigns. 
The reverse devices, when classified in a similar way, fall into but 9 
classes, and are far less characteristic of the several reigns. It is evident, 
therefore, that the classification of types should be based, as it is in Mr. 
Thomas’s catalogues, on the obverse devices. The main types are named 
and classified in my catalogue as follows, the name of each type being 
intended to indicate the most conspicuous, or most characteristic ele¬ 
ment in the obverse device. The definition of each type will be found 
in the Catalogue. 
Deign. 
Type. 
I. Ghatot Kacha. 
II. Chandra Gupta I. 
III. Samudra Gupta. 
lY, Chandra Gupta II. 
1. Solar Standard. {PI. II; 1). 
1. King and Queen. (PI. II; 2). 
1. Javelin. (PI. II; 3, 4, 5). 
2. Archer. {PI. II; 6). 
3. Lyrist. {PI. II; 7, 8). 
4. Aswamedha. {PI. II; 9). 
6. Tiger. {PI. II; 10). 
6. Boy and Battle-axe. {PI. II; 
11 , 12 ). 
1. Couch. {PI. II; IS). 
2. Archer. {PI. II; 14: PI. 
11; 1, 2, 3). 
3. Lancer. {PI. Ill; 4). 
4. Horseman to Left, {not fi¬ 
gured) . 
5. Lion-Trampler. PI. Ill; 5). 
6. Combatant Lion. {PI. Ill; 6). 
7. BetreatingLion. {PI. Ill; 7). 
8. Swordsman and Umbrella. 
{PI. Ill; 8). 
) 
* The term ‘ archer coins ’ has already been used by Wilson. {Vishnu Pur. 
p, 480t note 70.) 
