Gupta Dynasty, Kumaragupta I (Mahendraditya) (415-455 AD), Gold Dinar, "Kartikeya" type, Obv: king, nimbate, standing facing to left in front of the Peacock, wearing a dhoti above knees with sash round his waist and falling down, earrings, necklace, wristlet, a twig of grapes held in his right hand and offering to the Peacock, his left hand resting on the hip, circular Brahmi legend "Jayati svagunair gunarasir Vrata (nihanr-Mahendra) h kumarah", Rev: god Kartikeya, nimbate, three fourths to seated facing left on Peacock perched upon a platform, wearing a dhoti, earnings, necklace, wristlet, right hand is in a abhaya-mudra pose and left hand holding the Sakti spear resting on the hip, Brahmi legend at the right field "Mahendrakumarah", 8.22g, 19.63mm, (variant of Altekar, Bayana Hoard # Pl. XXVI-7&8/TOTGE, S. Kumar # Class I), about very fine, Exceedingly Rare.

Kartikeya type was issued by only Kumaragupta I in the Gupta Empire coinage, this innovation was obviously intended to be numismatic homage to the deity. Kartikeya is the Hindu god of war, the son of Lord Shiva and known by many names, one of which is Kumara. Kumaragupta I was named after war god Kartikeya whose mount was peacock. S Kumar has reported only 96 specimens of this type so far. The obverse legend arrangement is “Jayati svagunair gunarasir Vrtanihanr Mahendrakumarah”, “जयति स्वगुणेर गुणारसिर व्रतनिहारन - महेंद्रकुमार:” meaning the destroyer of Vrtra, having an abundance of virtues, conquers through his virtues.

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