Gupta Empire, Skandagupta (455-480 AD), Silver Drachm, 1.81 gm, Fire Altar type, Obv. side profile of the king facing left, Rev. a fire altar in the center, partial Brahmi legend ‘Paramabhgavata Sri Skandagupta Kramadityah’ around, a dotted border around the field, TOTGE Fire Altar type, Class II, about very fine, very scarce.

Ancient, Guptas, Skandagupta (c. 455-480 AD), Silver Drachm, 2.23 gms, Obv. Bust of king facing to right side, Rev. Winged garuda in centre with Brahmi legend around ‘ParmbhagavataMaharajadhirajaSkandaguptaKramaditya’, very fine+, scarce.

Kidarite Huna Kings of Kashmir, Sri Meghamah (500-600 AD), Base Gold Dinar, 7.39 gms, Obv. Standing figure of Shiva, nimbate, in tribhanga pose making mudra by his right hand, holding trident with banners attached in left, wearing dhoti from waist below and an uttariya on shoulder, In background a lioness or a tiger walking left, looking to him with head turned back, brahmi legends on left upper field ‘MeGhaVaNa’, Rev. Goddess Lakshmi, nimbate, seated in full frontal cross-legged posture wearing flowing dress, uttariya, and jewellery; a lotus in her left hand and a flower (jewel) in her right hand. To her left, a conch-shell (Shankha) on a floral pedestal, and a vase (Kumbha) resting on the top of the lotus in her left hand. Brahmi legend Jaya below the lotus in her hand, TOTGE #18.3.2, very fine, less than 10 coins known, extremely rare. Note: The dies were carved by expert mint masters, most probably on an important occasion to commemorate an event. According to the Rajatarangini, the well-known historical chronicle of Kashmir written by Kalhana in the 12th century AD, Sri Meghavahana was the grandson of Yudhishthira, the son of Bhupaditya, and a ruler of Kashmir. He belonged to a family of Gonaddha. Some scholars believe that Meghavahana was a predecessor of Pravarasena, and some consider the other way around. The Rajatarangini mentions that Meghavahana was followed by Shreshthasena, who was succeeded by Hiranya. When Hiranya died, a usurper named Matrigupta assumed the throne of Kashmir with the help of Vikramaditya of Ujjaini. Pravarasena, the nephew of Hiranya, marched to Kashmir and defeated Matrigupta. Later on, Pravarasena became a great king who founded a city. The history of this period is not very clear in the chronicle, but this coin remains the sole testimony to the historical existence of a king named Meghavahana.

Ancient, Upper Swat Valley (5th-6th Century AD), Copper Fractional Unit, 1.03 gms, Obv. A duck/hamsa bird to right holding a pearl necklace in its beak, with two floating ribbons & Alkhan Tamgha above, Rev. Brahmi legends 'JaYaTu DhaRMa' meaning ‘Dharma may be Victorius’, Being offered for first time in any Indian auction, Vondrovec #GC-A 20, very fine+, extremely rare. Note: The title 'Jayatu' is found on hunnic coins of Toramana, Mihirakula and Narendra which is followed by the respective king’s name.

Ancient World, Burma, Pyu Kingdom of Bekthano (190-550 AD) Silver Unit, 9.25g, Obv: Rising sun with a single pellet inside and 13 pellets between rays around. All within a border of pellets, Rev: Stylized temple, flanked by swastika (left) and and Damaru symbol (left). Moon and sun above, three pellets below. Very Fine+.

Chalukyas of Kalyani(10th Century AD), Anonymous Issue, Gold Gadyana, 4.44 gms, Obv. Bloomed Lotus, Rev: Trident, very fine+, very rare.

Hindu Medieval, Vijayanagara Empire, Sangama Dynasty, Harihara II (13th-14th Century AD), Gold ½ Varaha, 1.70 gms, Obv. Narasimha seated in padmasana with his consort Lakshmi on his left thigh; the god holds a discus in one right hand and the other is in abhayamudra, one left hand holds a conch-shell (shankha) while the other is around his consort’s waist, Rev. Devanagari legend in three lines "Sri pra/tha pa Hari/hara", Mitch. K&A # 413, Dr. M. Girijapathi # 056, rare in this condition.