Gupta Dynasty, Skandagupta (455-467 AD), Gold Heavy Dinar, Archer type, With Sankhanidhi Symbol (Wt: 9.22 gm, Dia: 19.04)

Obverse : King nimbate standing to left wearing long sash, holding an indian long bow in his left hand and arrow in his right hand, garuda standard behind right hand, under left arm brahmi legend 'Skanda'.

Reverse : Goddess lakshmi, nimbate, seated on a lotus in padmasana holding cornucopia in right hand and lotus in the left, blurred brahmi legend at right "Sri Skandaguptah", Sankhanidhi symbol at left.

Comment :
This distinctive variety of Skandagupta’s Archer type features the Shankhanidhi symbol in the left reverse field: a conch shell with nine dots representing pearls flowing from it, replacing the usual tamgha. This unusual detail is specifically recorded in Treasures of the Gupta Empire. Shankhanidhi, the “conch treasure,” is one of the nine treasures associated with Kubera, the god of wealth. Its placement beside Lakshmi, the goddess of prosperity, may be understood as reinforcing the coin’s imagery of abundance and auspicious fortune, giving this variety particular iconographic interest.

(TOTGE, S. Kumar # Class III-Var. C, Pg 436), Mint State, RRR.