How do you justify the view that the level of excellence of the Gupta numismatic art has not at all been noticeable in the later times?
The Gupta age is considered as the “Golden age” or “Classical age” of Ancient Indian history. Not only unprecedented economic growth but art and culture flourished during the period.
The Guptas issued large number of Gold and Silver coins (used for local exchange). The numbers of copper coins issued by them were less (depicting that money did not touch the common people).
In later Gupta period, the quantity of gold had decreased and the amount of alloy had increased indicating stress in the Guptan economy. Loss of land in central India to Hunas and rise of feudatories which proclaimed independence also is said to have impacted revenue. The grant of land for religious and other purposes should have further strained the economy.
Such gradual decline in the Guptan aristocracy resulted in the disintegration of the empire. With the decline in economy there seems to have been decrease in the patronage of numismatic artisans resulting in their migration to alternative vocations. This disappearance of the numismatic artisans had probably resulted in the loss of the art itself. Such excellence as exhibited in the Guptan period in numismatics, as well as the issue of gold coins have not been document anytime else in Indian history.
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