An extremely rare 1/4 unit drachm of Kanishka I featuring the image of Shakyamuni Buddha "The historical Buddha". These are also the 1st and only coins in history to feature the image of the Buddha until modern times. Inscriptions surrounding the Buddha image: CAKAMA "Shakyamuni"... BOYΔO "Buddha". Choice with full portrait of Kanishka and the Buddha Kushan Empire. 127-150CE. Northern India and Afghanistan. Although Kanishka copper coins are fairly common, the ones featuring and honouring the Buddha is extremely rare on some accounts estimated to less than 1% of all Kanishka issued coins. His Buddha coins come in 3 denominations of bronze and 1 in gold. All featured various depictions of the Buddha either standing or in 1 tetradrachm the Maitreya Boddhisattva in seated position. Amongst the Buddha issues, the smaller denominations (I.e. 1/4 and 1/2 units) are even rarer. Being a strong patron and supporter of Buddhism, he saw and organised the 4th Buddhist Council which saw the significant developments in the codification of the Mahayana School of Buddhism. It was believed that the rarity of these Buddha coins were due to them being commemorative issues for the establishment of a Stupa in his Kingdom or in conjunction with the council. All except the gold issues have rather poor strikes and conditions.
Fascinating! The best part of CT is learning about coins outside of one's area of collecting. Thanks for posting this and teaching about its significance.
Thanks @Roman Collector .. I dont have much Greek and Roman coins in my collection so I can only share and post these
Wow.. That's a splendid Kanishka Dinar.. I don't even have a diner of Kanishka.. The only one I have was from his descendant Vasudeva.. That is a beauty..
I was looking high and low for the Kanishka Buddha coins.. Saw once or twice offered on CNG but the price bid went way out of my budget in the Thousands and out of my expectation. Thankfully patience paid off and I finally secured this piece which in my opinion is pretty choice for type. Accordingly, the smaller denominations are rarer than the larger tetradrachms. I'm hoping to one day acquire decent tet specimens if possible
Very nice specimen! For now, I only have a few Kushan bronzes and one Heraios obol, although a nice gold stater is on my bucket list! It is rather curious how rare Buddha is on Indian coinage... I suppose the emphasis was more on the other symbology rather than the Buddha as a person?
The Kushan Empire honoured many gods which were adhered to by the people.. Hindu and central Asian. The Buddha was never regarded as divinity and his images were unknown until the Greeks started stylistically depict him in Gandharan art. Kanishka however was a devout patron and thus these coins were only issued in very limited numbers as a form of commemorative issues. It was a departure from the tenets of Buddhism to depict images of the Buddha outside of symbolism..
Thank you @Loong Siew ! It is special to me. I understand less than 20 are known? This is a site I enjoyed... and yes, I walked ALL of the steps up and down... this is also the largest Buddha in the world.
Love the Buddha!!! Shakya Janapada AR 5-Shana 6-5th century BC Magadha Karshapana 6-5th century BC and a Bodi tree from Ananthapura, Taprobane mid 3rd century BC
Absolutely man.. totally agree.. wouldn't know or have heard about it if not for your ori post on your specimen