Return to Numismatics of India CatalogueGupta Numismatic Art--An Artistic and Iconographic Study/Chhanda Mukherjee. 1991, xii, 188 p., maps, plates, $33.
Contents: Foreword/R.C. Sharma. Preface. 1. Introduction. 2. Devices of the Gupta coins. 3. Artistic features of the Gupta coins. 4. Iconography of the deities as depicted on the Gupta coins. 5. Successive coins influenced by the Gupta issues. 6. Social and economic conditions as gleaned from the Gupta coins. Appendix: 1. Devices of coins on contemporary seals. 2. Coins of six obscure rulers. 3. Hoards and findings of Gupta coins. Abbreviations. Select bibliography.
"The book, as the title goes, Gupta Numismatic Art--An Artistic and Iconographic Study, presents an interesting and comprehensive overview of the aesthetic peculiarities of the Gupta period coins, on the one hand, and the figurative study of the divine and human forms stamped, on the other. Besides the political situation, the author has also considered the socio-religious background, economic factors and technical aspects, while discussing the Gupta currency issued in different types. The book is a notable contribution and would be profitable for scholars and researchers, as well as the admirers of the Gupta period glory, which is well reflected in the superb collection of art and gold coins." (jacket) [Chhanda Mukherjee is Curator in the Archaeological section of the Indian Museum, Calcutta.]