Rashtrakutas, North / Central Karnataka region, Govinda III alias “Prabhutavarsha Pratapavaloka Jagattunga”, Gold Gadyana, 4.20g, Obv: King mounted on a Horse, riding to left, with a curved object held in raised hand, pseudo- Arabic legend around, Rev: Pseudo- Arabic legend along the margins, in centre, two line inscription in proto Devnagari/ Siddha legend – “Shri Jagatunga Aprati / hata gata Garudadhwaja” Above the legend, a row of Vaishnavite and auspicious symbols - Lotus, Kalasha and Sankha and below the legend, a half Lotus pedestal supporting the legend. Extremely fine for type, extremely rare.
The legend on the coin incorporates puns in its choice of words. Its literal meaning would be “The banner of Garuda which has been invincible is the tallest in the World’. However, “Jagatunga” or 'Tallest (by fame/valour) in the World’ was also a title held by Rashtrakuta ruler Govinda III. He was an illustrious king, credited with many victories, including those against the Pratiharas of Kannauj, the Palas of Bengal, the Eastern Chalukyas of Vengi and the Pallavas of Kanchi. The title 'Apratihata' or 'invincible' applied to him in the coin legend is therefore a fitting acknowledgement of his triumphs. The reign of Govinda III fits well with the heyday of the trade between India and the Arabian Peninsula in the 9th century. The fact that he chooses to show him as a horse rider also befits the nexus established between the Arabs and the Rashtrakutas through commercial activities. The mention of 'Garuda-Dhwaja' or 'Ensign of the Garuda' in the legend refers to the dynastic emblem of the Rashtrakutas, who were Vaishnavites and employed Garuda the bearer of Vishnu to show their devotion to their patron deity.
The obverse depiction of the king is comparable to ac recently known image of a local king from Humcha in Shimoga district, where he is described as master of a ball-game. Most likely the game referred to is polo. This is quite plausibly a numismatic depiction of a polo-playing monarch.