INDIA, Gupta Empire. First Dynasty. Chandragupta II Vikramaditya, circa 380-413. AE (Bronze, 14 mm, 2.30 g, 12 h). Half-lenght figure of Chandragupta II turned slightly to left. Rev. CHANDRAGUPTA (in Brahmi) Garuda standing facing with wings spread over the name of the emperor. Pieper 885. Very rare. Struck somewhat off center and with some deposits, otherwise, very fine.


Arguably one of the greatest rulers of ancient India, Chandragupta II oversaw an empire that stretched from the Indus River in the west to Bengal in the east and from the foothills of the Himalayas in the north to the Narmada River in the south. Historical sources describe him as a devotee of the Hindu God Vishnu, the preserver of the universe, which is alluded to on the reverse of this coin: Garuda, a giant bird-like creature and the protector and personal vehicle of Vishnu, is standing with spread wings over the name of the emperor to protect him from evil.