Sale: Triton IX, Lot: 1195. Estimate $2000.  Closing Date: Monday, 9 January 2006.  Sold For $1400. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

[Ancient] INDIA, Guptas. Kumaragupta I. Circa 414-455 AD. AV Dinar (8.12 g, 11h). Peacock type. Kumaragupta, nimbate, standing left, bending over a peacock / The god Karttikeya, holding a spear and seated astride a resplendent facing peacock, which is perched atop an altar. BMC Guptas 254; Altekar pl. XIII 14; Bayana 1701. Near VF. Rare type. ($2000)

Karttikeya, son of Shiva and Parvati, is the principal Hindu god of war. He is also referred to as Skanda, and sometimes as Kumar-"bachelor"- typically being represented as having no female consort. Karttikeya lives only for combat, riding into battle on his peacock, wielding either bow or spear. In other forms he is shown with six heads, being ever vigilant.