These four coins were purchased in Afghanistan approximately 8 years ago and the guy said they are ancient. I need help identifying the year and type of coin. Thank you in advance!
The third is from the Kushan Empire, but with the amount of wear an exact ID could be difficult. This bronze of Kanishka I is close..but not a match.
Doug, wow thank you very much. Not sure how you were able to find that but I really appreciate the help!
Browsing the listings on Vcoins is a good start. The ancient coins are categorized and the ones you have here will likely be in the Ancient Indian section. Once you know approximately what you are looking for the website ACsearch is a wonderful tool. Try going to ACsearch and searching the word Kushan or Kanishka
Google is you friend. Type in Indo-Scythian humped bull and you get the last one. https://www.google.com/search?q=ind...AUIECgB&biw=1600&bih=722#imgrc=sIyKe4K-efLAuM: shahi bronze elephant https://www.google.com/search?q=sha...9rXjAhUEbs0KHecaDn8Q_AUIESgC&biw=1600&bih=722 It even found my page with candidates for #2. Getting specific requires being familiar with what remains and guessing what is missing. https://www.forumancientcoins.com/dougsmith/feac58bak.html This page may help with 3. Helios may be right but I was thinking Mao as a reverse. I know little about these and have handled few so worn. I am sure there are gods on reverses I have never seen. I recall seeing a dealer at a show who had many of these in a bag. Most were very low grade. They are not rare coins but nice ones are scarce.
Doug, I concur and realize that there is so much online regarding coins. This is out of my expertise and felt that I could guess and get lucky....or post in coin talk and having someone with experience say for certain what types of coins these are. I am very thankful for the help and resources provided. Thank you!
I am often overwhelmed by eastern coins, to the point that I can't even figure out what search terms to use. That's one of the reasons I'm so grateful for this forum and for all the members who are so generous with their expertise.
Congrats! All the ones I found in Afghanistan and showed a group of collectors hoping they were authentic, were not. Luckily, I asked before buying.
