1884.] V. A. Smith —-Gold Goins of the Imperial Gupta Dynasty. 143 
The existence of this eastward drain of gold is fnlly proved by the 
testimony of Pliny, as well as of other witnesses. The words of Pliny 
are so vivid and explicit as to be worth quoting afresh. “ Minimaqne 
compntatione millies centena millia sestertium annis omnibus India et 
Seres pcninsnlaqne \_scil. Arabia] imperio nostro adimnnt. Tanta nobis 
deliciae et feminae constant.”^ Ag^ain he observes that the trade with 
India was worth taking: some trouble to maintain. “ Digrna res, nnllo 
O O’ 
anno imperii nostri minus H. S. qningenties exhanriente India, et merces 
remittente, qn83 apnd nos centnplicato veneant.”t 
The aureus was adopted first by Jnlins Csesar as a regular element 
of the Roman currency, and his standard is said to have been 125'66 
grains but his coins generally range between 120 and 125 grains. It 
would therefore appear that the Indo-Scythian gold coinage is based on 
that of Julius Ceesar, and not on the Macedonian stater, or Persian 
daric, of which the standard was I34‘4 grains, or two Attic drachmae. 
This fact helps in some measure to settle the vexed question of the date 
of the Indo-Scythian kings, and consequently of their Gupta successors. 
The weight of the Roman aureus after the death of Julius Caesar 
gradually declined, and in the reign of hTero is stated to have averaged 
II5'39 grains. 4 ! 
The average weight of 4 coins of Ghatot Kacha is II4'95, and the 
heaviest coin weighs 118. The average weight of the aurei of Augustus 
in the British Museum is I21'26, and it would therefore at first sight 
appear as if the coins of Ghatot Kacha were based on the Roman coinage 
intermediate between Augustus and htero. But a fine coin of Chandra 
Gupta I, son and successor of Ghatot Kacha, which is in the British 
Museum, weighs I23‘8, and this fact indicates that Chandra Gupta’s 
coinage was adapted to a standard of about 125 grains, and renders it 
probable, though not certain, that Ghatot Kacha followed the same stand¬ 
ard. 
I assign the coins of the King and Queen type alone to Chandra 
Gupta I, and the weight of 4 of these averages 117’5 7. The light weight 
of the majority of the coins of Ghatot Kacha and his son appears to be 
due to wear and tear. 
The details for the weights of the six types of Samudra Gupta’s 
* Pliny, Hist. Nat. XII, 41. 
f Pliny, Hist. Nat, YI, 26. 
X The average weights 125‘66 and 115*39 for Julius Csesar and Nero respectively 
are those stated by Letronne, as quoted in Smith’s Diet, of Antiq. and in Thomas’ 
Early Faith of Asoka, ut supra. Mr. Gardner informs me that the aurei of Julius 
Cmsar average 120 to 125, and those of Nero 112 to 114. I adoiA Gen. Cunniug- 
ham’s estimate of the weight of the daric ; Mr. Heard makes it 130 grains. 
T 
