Coin Devices on Bhita Seals

The article “Coin Devices on Bhita Seals” by Adris Banerji examines the symbolism on seals discovered at Bhita and their relationship to coin iconography of the Gupta period. The author notes that Gupta glyptic art often reproduces well‑known coin types on seals. Banerji recounts how archaeologists salvaged many clay sealings from Rajghat during railway construction and that these sealings bear devices similar to those on Gupta gold and copper coins. He surveys earlier scholarship, including papers on Rajghat sealings, and argues that the overlap is not coincidental. In the Gupta era coins were designed not merely for commerce but also to disseminate royal achievements and virtues; types such as the Aśvamedha, the lion‑slayer, the lute‑player and the standard‑bearer were intended to enhance national pride and link king and people. Banerji suggests that similar devices on seals served heraldic functions for officials and private individuals. Using detailed descriptions, he catalogues motifs found on Bhita seals—images of Hindu deities, royal standards, birds, animals and geometric forms—and compares them with corresponding coin types. He analyses a particular symbol composed of a trident atop intertwined serpents and concludes that it is a composite motif derived from the Nandipāda emblem and the royal standard of victory. The article argues that the ubiquity of these symbols on both seals and coins indicates a deliberate attempt to reinforce imperial ideology across media. Banerji also discusses the artistic style of the Bhita seals, noting their resemblance to Mathura school sculptures. He interprets the devices through literary references, citing Purāṇic and classical sources to show how the king was presented as a warrior, musician and cultured patron. The overall pattern suggests that the Gupta rulers consciously used coin iconography and seal impressions to communicate messages about unity, prosperity and divine sanction. Banerji concludes that the prevalence of coin devices on seals reflects a sophisticated visual language aimed at both administrative authentication and popular propaganda. The article thus contributes to our understanding of Gupta political symbolism and the integration of numismatic imagery into everyday objects.

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