I recently bought this coin from a fixed-price list of Stephen Album: Kushano-Sasanians. AE chalkos or unit (16 mm). Ardashir I (c.230-245 AD). Obverse: Sassanian-Style bust right, Pahlavi legend around. Reverse: Deity (Anahita?) seated below canopy, holding trident and wreath, Pahlavi legend around. Legend given by Mitchiner as "MaZDISN BaGI ARTaHShaTR RaBI KUShAN MaLKA" ("The Mazda-worshipper Ardashir, Lord, King of the Kushans"). Cribb 16, Mitchiner ACW 1264-1265, Sunrise 1013-1014. The Kushano-Sasanians were vassals of the main Sasanian Persian line who administered former Kushan territories west of the Indus, including Bactria, Gandhara, and Sogdiana. They issued coins from around 230 to around 370 AD, when their territory was overrun by the Kidarite Huns. Very few historical documents survive, and most Kushano-Sasanian kings are known only from their coin inscriptions. (The Ardashir I who issued this coin as "King of the Kushans" is probably a different person from the Ardashir I who was the Sasanian King of Kings at the time.) Coins were issued primarily in bronze, with some gold and rare silver issues. Reverses include both typical Sasanian-derived types (fire-altars with or without Ahura Mazda rising from the flames) and Kushan-style types (Shiva with bull, or this type featuring a deity sometimes identified as the Iranian goddess Anahita). Kushano-Sasanian bronze coins are common in low grade, but well-preserved specimens are hard to find. Post your Kushano-Sasanian coins, or other related coins.
Fun stuff! I own (and have owned) several coins from this kingdom - an interesting breath of fresh air to Indian numismatics! Here is one of Peroz I Kushanshah, not to be confused with the later emperor who was captured by the Huns! One of Ardashir Mervshah, who some suspect may be either related to or the same person as Ardashir Kushanshah
Check out the chicken feet on this bull! Peroz I Kushanshah (circa 245 - 270 AD), AE 19mm. 2.3g. Balkh mint? Obv: ΠIPΩZO OOZOPKO KOÞANO ÞOYO (Bactrian for Peroz the great, Kushan king). Peroz standing facing, head left in Kushan style helmet, sacrificing over altar and holding trident in left hand. Rev: OOPZAOANΔO IAZAΔO (Bactrian "Exalted God"; Siva?) Exhalted God standing facing, holding diadem and trident, before the bull Nandi. Ref: Jongeward and Cribb #2160-2168
Great subject! I believe the Kushanshahs were younger brothers or cousins of the Sasanian royal line. However, there was often rebellion and warfare between the two kingdoms. I have a few of these; they seem prone to bronze disease, but this one so far has stayed free of that scourge. Kushano-Sasanids. Ardashir I, about 230-250. AE unit. Obv. Merlon-crowned portrait t.r. Rev. Goddess Anahit with wreath and sceptre under a canopy, seated or dancing (?). 18.5 mm, 2.60 gr. This is an excellent seller's pic, but it doesn't show the real color of the coin, which is glossy black.
