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2020 · Q67

Which one of the following statements about Gupta coins is not correct?

General KnowledgeHistory of India
  1. AGupta kings issued large number of gold coins known as Dinar.
  2. BChandragupta II, Kumaragupta I, Skanda-gupta and Budhagupta issued silver coins.
  3. CThe obverses of coins are carved with the images of the kings and on the reverse are carved deities.
  4. DThe largest number of coins issued by the Guptas were of copper.

Explanation

The Guptas are famous for their large issues of gold coins (dinaras); Chandragupta II, Kumaragupta I, Skandagupta and Budhagupta also issued silver coins, typically with the king on the obverse and a deity on the reverse — so statements A, B and C are correct. Copper coinage on any scale was issued only by later dynasties, not by the imperial Guptas, whose copper coins are rare. The claim that the largest number of Gupta coins were of copper is therefore not correct.