Samudragupta (c.335-380) minted some remarkably detailed and informative coins

Source: http://www.grifterrec.com/coins/india/ancientindia3.html
(downloaded Jan. 2006)

"Samudragupta (circa 335 - 380 AD) AV Stater. Obverse: King standing left, holding long sceptre in left hand, right hand lowered to an altar; Garuda standard to left. In Brahmi: 'Samudra' in right field; and partial marginal legend. Reverse: Goddess Lakshmi enthroned facing, holding cornucopia; symbol to left. In Brahmi: 'Parakramah' to right."

Another example of the same general type, also with Brahmi inscriptions

Source: http://www.vcoins.com/ancient/parscoins/store/viewItem.asp?idProduct=2910&large=1
(downloaded May 2006)

"GUPTA KINGS of INDIA. Samudragupta. 335-380 AD. Gold Dinar (7.47 gm; 20 mm). Standard Type. Samudragupta, nimbate, standing left, holding standard; Garuda standard behind / The goddess Laksmi seated facing on throne, holding diadem."

Samudragupta playing the vina; *a look at the whole coin*

Source: http://ignca.nic.in/asp/showbig.asp?projid=ac28
(downloaded March 2004)

"King bare-headed, wearing only waist cloth and jewelary, seated on couch with sloped back, playing the vina (Indian lyre), Samudragupta, gold dinar, obverse, Ca.355-380, The Skanhe Collection, ACSAA."

A coin of Samudragupta's depicting a horse-sacrifice

Source: http://www.vcoins.com/ancient/parscoins/store/viewItem.asp?idProduct=2587&large=0
(downloaded Mar. 2006)

"Circa 335-380 AD. AV Dinar (7.62 gm; 20 mm). Ashvamedha type. Sacrificial horse standing left before pedestal with filleted yupa post, from which a banner flutters; "si" on footstool below / The queen, not nimbate, standing left on lotus-form mat, holding chouri (fly whisk) and cloth, suchi (filleted spear) before her. Brahmi legend right: Asvamedhaparakrama."

Samudragupta, in Kushan attire, performs a sacrifice

Source: http://ignca.nic.in/asp/showbig.asp?projid=ac28
(downloaded March 2004)

"King standing, wearing a kushan style coat and trousers, holding a tall standard in his left hand, sacrificing over an altar. In the field to his right is his garudadhvaja. Samudragupta, gold dinar, Ca.355-380, The Skanhe Collection, ACSAA."

The goddess Lakshmi is honored by Samudragupta

Source: http://ignca.nic.in/asp/showbig.asp?projid=ac28
(downloaded March 2004)

"Lakshmi standing on a makara (elephant headed fish) to the left, holding long stemmed lotus in left hand, her right hand extended to her side, Samudragupta, gold dinar, Ca.355-380, The Skanhe Collection, ACSAA."

A gold dinar of Chandragupta II, Samudragupta's successor, also honors Lakshmi

Source: http://www.vcoins.com/ancient/parscoins/store/viewItem.asp?idProduct=2911&large=1
(downloaded May 2006)

"GUPTA KINGS of INDIA. Chandragupta II. 380-414 AD. Gold Dinar (9.07 gm; 20 mm). Chandragupta standing left, holding arrow and bow; Garuda standard behind / The goddess Laksmi seated facing, holding diadem and lotus."

Another gold dinar of Chandragupta II, also honoring Lakshmi

Source: http://www.vcoins.com/ancient/parscoins/store/viewItem.asp?idProduct=2468&large=1
(downloaded Mar. 2006)

"Chandra Gupta II 375-414 AD. Gold Dinar (7.67 gm; 18 mm). Chandragupta riding horse right, he holds a bow above the horse's head and a whip by his side / The goddess Lakshmi, nimbate, seated left on wicker stool, holding diadem and lotus.."