Numismatic Art Of The Gupta Period
How would you justify the idea that the level of excellence of numismatic art of the Gupta period is not quite visible in later times?
The metal used in coins, the size and shape of the coin, the measurement of the coin, the method of manufacture are various aspects of numismatics. Because coins are carriers of political communication. Therefore, they have an important place in the writing of history.The Gupta kings issued coins of different sizes of gold, silver, copper, bronze and alloys, on which the kings made figures (king-queen type, archer and veena type) according to their interest. Hindu mythological traditions were also depicted on these coins. The legends engraved on the coins are examples of the artistic excellence of this period.But in the post-Gupta period, while the use of coins decreased, there is also a lack of originality and artistry in them. In measurement also, there is a decline in the coins of the later period as compared to the coins of the Gupta period. The names of the kings who issued the coins are also not mentioned. With the decline in trade, the circulation of coins made of low grade alloys increased.Therefore, the kind of variety,artistry and quality we get to see in Gupta coins, its absence is seen in the later periods.
