24/07/2019- ANCIENT INDIAN COINS- Kushan Empire

ഇന്നത്തെ പഠനം
അവതരണം	Augustine Stephen D'souza
വിഷയം	ANCIENT INDIAN COINS
ലക്കം	28

Kushan Empire

Vima Kadphises   90 - 100 AD 

As per the Rabatak inscriptions, Kujulu Kadphises, his son Vima Takta, his son Vima Kadphises ruled the present day Afghanistan, Pakistan and North West India. 

Vima Kadphises was the father of the most famous Kushan Emperor,  Kanishka. 

Vima Kadphises was the one who first introduced gold coinage along with the existing silver and copper coins. 

Specifics of the coin shown below 

Ruler  - Vima Kadphises 

Denomination  - Tetradrachma 

Metal  - Copper 

Weight  - 17.10 gms 

Obverse  - King standing facing left, sacrificing over altar. Trident to left, tamgha and club to right.  Greek legend around  "Basileus Basileuon Sorter Megas Ooemo Kadphises" ( King of Kings Vima Kadphises the Great Saviour).

Reverse  - Siva standing facing right, holding trident. Behind, the bull Nandhi standing right.  Buddhist triratna  "Maharajasa Rajatirajasa Mahishvarasa Hitrima Kapishasa Tradata" in Karoshti, partly seen.