1885.] 
the gold coins of the Guptas. 
87 
The above considerations therefore lead to two inferences : 1st, 
that the 4 noose ’ symbol on the gold Gupta coins, represents wholly 
different ideas from those symbolised by the £ fillet.’ 2nd, that the 
* noose ’ symbol on these coins , is of ambiguous import, and that it 
represents indifferently the 4 noose ’ of S'iva when borne by a goddess, 
whom we have other reasons for regarding 1 as his S'akti, whether under 
the form of Parvati or Durga ; or when it is borne by a goddess pre¬ 
sumably identified with Lakshmi, it is then no longer the 4 pasu ’ of S'iva 
but a feminine symbol, analogous to the 4 sistrum ’ of Isis, and that it is 
by collateral indications only that it can be decided in which sense, in 
each case this symbol is to be construed. See Inman’s Ancient Faiths 
embodied in Ancient Names, Yol. I, p. 527. 
Having thus considered the probability of two symbols of entirely 
different significance being united or confounded under the term 4 fillet } 
it remains to see if another and more interesting example of this union, 
and the resulting observation or blending of the ideas, is not afforded by 
the 4 cornucopia ’ as it is termed, on the Gupta coins, and if an exotic 
symbol is not in this case also made to do duty for a different and 
peculiarly native idea. 
The Gupta 4 cornu-copiaY 
It may be granted at once that the 4 cornu-copise ’ on the Indo- 
Scythian coins is exotic in its design, and copied probably from Roman 
coins of the period. The idea too is doubtless the same, and, as on 
Roman, so on Indo-Scythian coins the 4 cornu-copia 5 is the symbol of 
good fortune, prosperity and abundance. This classic type of this parti¬ 
cular symbol is seen on coins figured in Ariana Antiqua, PI. XX, figs. 4 
and 5, and also on the plate of coins in Jainism (Edward Thomas) fig. 16. 
In one gold coin of Ooerki, in my possession, the classic idea of the 
4 cornu-copiee ’ brimming over with the kindly fruits of the earth is well 
displayed, and on either side project, what are clearly intended to 
represent corn-ears. Generally, however, the treatment is more conven¬ 
tional, though in every instance it would seem as if fruits or corn were 
the objects intended to be understood as filling the 4 horn.’ So far as I 
know, the 4 cornu-copies ’ is always borne, on these gold coins by the god¬ 
dess Ardochro, standing. In the Peshawar find there were several of 
such coins and one with the legend of Mioro (No. 49 of Catalogue) but 
whether with the usual standing figure of a goddess is not quite certain, 
though such is probable from the wording of the catalogue. In copper 
coins, however, of Ooerki, of the elephant and rider type, the 4 cornu- 
copiae ’ though usually carried by the goddess Ardochro, is also occasion¬ 
ally seen in the hand of Mao. Now the name Mao on these coins, is 
L 
