I obtained two Kushan empire pieces. I believe they are Dinar but im not sure. Any help would be appreciated. I will post the information I believe is correct just trying to narrow it down. year 150~180. 4 grams 18mm 18k gold content Obverse: King's bust left, not nimbate, holding sword hilt and mace, Bactrian legend around: þaonanoþao o ohþki koþano. Reverse: Ahura Mazda standing left, holding scepter in left hand and extending right hand, Legend at right: ωPOM(azda), tamgha at left. year 247~267. 4 grams 17mm 18k gold content Obverse: Crowned, diademed king standing facing, holding spear and sacrificing at altar at left, Bactrian legend around: þAONANOþAO KA ... NηþKI KOþANO (King of Kings Kanishka Kushan) Reverse: ΣKANΔOKO M BIZAΓO AÞO in Bactrian script, SKANDO KOMANO, BISAGO. Goddess Skanda on left and Visaka on right. Standing face to face nimbate; each wearing chlamys and necklace, and sword at waist; but Skanda hold in right hand, standard surmounted by bird; Visakha with spear in left hand; between them a royal symbol (tamgha). Surrounded by a border of dots.
Love the obverse of the 1st coin...looks like he's challenging someone to a fist fight!! Both are quite nice!
Thank you very much. I am waiting to get them in hand and then will send to NGC for authentication. Cant be too careful especially when your not an expert in the series. I have unconditional return and guarantee of authenticity but still worry at times.
For comparison, this coin is listed for $49,995 by a respected expert in the field: https://www.vcoins.com/en/stores/co...om_reverse_rrr_and_superb/946634/Default.aspx. This coin is offered on eBay for $426 by a seller with a feedback of 4: https://www.ebay.com/itm/4-0-gm-Kus...ra-Mazda-Orom-reverse-Very-Rare-/203308438487.
I know the man who runs Coinindia/ he is very honest/ knowledgeable. The other seller/ there are no AV 1/2 Dinara only Quarter Dinara.
In case it isn't clear, this fake on eBay is a perfect match to your first coin. Don't waste your money on NGC, just send the coin back. (If the second one is from the same source I'd send it back too. [Edit: looks like it is also 4g? Does this exist as a 1/2 dinar? http://coinindia.com/galleries-kanishka.html])
I find the fact that it is 18k gold very suspicious as well. That seems like a modern standard and not an alloy the ancients made coins from. Anyone know what the purity level of Kushan coins from this era should be? John
thanks for the help I got an immediate refund. so I think that shows it right there. When I was looking these up I kept finding 1/4 Dinar and ! dinar but could not find the half. Didn't know if different ages had different weights.
Huvishka AV Dinara are around .970 pure. There where only ever AV 2 Dinara/ 1 Dinara/ Quarter Dinara struck. 1/2 Dinara are fakes.....
I'd send it back. Just received this one in the mail today.... KUSHAN DYNASTY Vima Kadphises, 95-127 AD. AE Tetradrachm, 28mm, 16.5g, 2h. Obv. BACIΛEΥC BACIΛEωN OOHMO MEΓAC OOHM KAΔΦICHC; Kadphises, standing facing, head left, sacrificing over altar to left and holding hand on hilt; to left, filleted trident behind, tamgha and club to right. Rev: Siva with three heads standing facing, holding trident in raised right hand and resting lowered left hand on bull Nandi standing to right, behind; tamgha above to left.with kharoshthi legend maharaja rajadhiraja sarvaloga isvarasa mahesvarasa. Mitchner 3040
