2016 · Q85
Which one among the following statements about the coins of the Gupta rulers is correct?
General KnowledgeHistory of India
- AThe obverse and reverse, both, had only the king’s portrait and date
- BThe obverse and reverse, both, had only an image of a deity and date
- CThe obverse generally had king’s portrait and reverse had an image of a deity or a motif
- DThe obverse generally had king’s portrait and reverse always had a date
Explanation
Gupta gold coins (dinars) typically carry the king's portrait on the obverse - often shown performing a sacrifice, playing the veena or riding - while the reverse bears an image of a deity such as Lakshmi or a dynastic motif such as Garuda. Neither side was confined to portraits with dates, and dates were not a regular feature at all. The correct generalisation is therefore option (C).