142 V. A. Smitli —Gold Coins of the Imperial Gupta Dynasty. [No. 2, 
So general lias been the neglect in Indian publications of all sys¬ 
tematic study of coin weights, that I may be pardoned if I dwell for a 
moment on its importance, and call to witness an expert who has studied 
European and Oriental numismatics with equal ardour. 
“ The history of the standards of weight on which Greek coins were 
struck did not, until quite recently, become a subject of serious study. 
. Nothing has done more of late years to give a scientific form to 
Greek numismatics than the great attention given to weight standards. 
The fact has been recognized that a coin is, after all, but a stamped 
piece of precious metal, and that its value was derived, when it was 
issued, not from the stamp, but from the metal. Distinguished scholars 
like Hultsch and Brandis have in consequence spent years of their lives 
in weighing coin after coin, recording the results, and trying thence to reach 
principles. The greatest of living archasologists. Professor Mommsen, has 
given much time to the study of the weights and developments of Greek 
and Roman coins, and his strength has opened a way through jungles 
which were before impenetrable obstacles to science.”* 
It cannot be expected that Anglo-Indian amateur numismatists 
should devote years of their lives to weighing coins, but, even with such 
limited opportunities as circumstances permit, they may collect a goodly 
mass of the necessary details, and do something to give to Indian 
archaeology that scientific form which it frequently lacks. 
The weights of all coins mentioned or described in my catalogue are 
there noted, so far as they could be ascertained, and the results are ex¬ 
hibited in the Table of Weights, which deals with 177 coins. Examination 
of the devices has already proved that the Gupta gold coinage immediately 
succeeded that of the Indo-Scythian princes, and this conclusion is 
confirmed by the study of the coin weights. 
Few details as to the weight of the Indo-Scythian coins are available, 
but, according to Mr. Thomas, the coins of the Kadphises group average 
122*4 grains, while those of the Kanerki series are somewhat lighter, 
but often weigh 122 grains. Some Indo-Scythian pieces weigh as high 
as 125 grains.t 
The source from which the Indo-Scythians derived the supply of 
gold for their extensive mintages is not known with certainty, but is 
conjectured, and with much probability, to have been the constant stream 
of Roman aurei which in those times poured into India in exchange for 
her silk and other commodities. 
* Types of Greek Coins by Percy Gardner, 1883, p. 62. 
t Early Paitli of Asoka (X B. A. S. IV N. 8. p. 223). It is possible, and even 
very probable tliat the Indo-Scythian and Gnpta Dynasties and coinages to a certain 
extent existed contemporaneously in different parts of the N. W. P. and the Punjab. 
