I have no knowledge whatsoever of anything about this coin, but I bought it because it's LOVELY! Soter Megas AE Tetradrachm, 2nd century AD Obverse: radiate, diademed and draped bust right, holding sceptre Reverse: BASILEVC BASILEWN CWTHR MEGAC(?) King riding horse right, holding sceptre, 3-prong symbol of Soter Megas Diameter: 19mm Reference: BMC 2 http://www.wildwinds.com/coins/greece/indo_scythians/soter_megas/t.html Cost: $13.50 The obverse is a bit off center, with some green verdigris(?) but it's got a lot of character. I really like how fine and elegant the obverse is. BMC 2 is the only one that's close on Wildwinds, but my example appears to be stylistically finer. Show your Kushan coins!
That's a nice specimen! Kushan coinage and "Eastern" ancient and medieval numismatics in general constitute very attractive yet often underappreciated and underestimated collecting areas. This is not necessarily always bad thing – it at least keeps those coins affordable to collectors on a budget. Relatively recent studies of previously unknown epigraphic sources allowed to identify the Kushan ruler formerly known just by the title "Soter Megas" ('the great saviour') on his coins as Vima Takto. Here is another example of his common AE unit, which is possibly best understood as a didrachm: Vima Takto, Kushan Empire, AE didrachm (?), ca. 80–95 AD, Taxila mint? Obv: Radiate (nine rays) and diademed bust r., holding sceptre; to l., tamgha. Rev: BACIΛЄωN Cω[THP MЄΓA]C; crowned and diademed king on horseback r., raising r. hand and holding reins in l. 20mm, 8.06g. Ref: Mitchiner 2941–2943. And here is my slightly later favorite Kushan coin, a Vima Kadphises AE tetradrachm: Vima Kadphises, Kushan Empire, AE tetradrachm, ca. 90–100 AD. Obv: BACIΛE[ΥC BACIΛEωN] CWTHP MEΓAC OOHM KAΔΦICHC, Kadphises, standing facing, head l., sacrificing over altar to l, and holding hand on hilt; to l., trident; to r., tamgha and club. Rev: Kharoshthi legend; Siva standing facing, holding trident; behind, the bull Nandi standing r.; Buddhist triratana ("Three Jewels") to l. 28mm, 16.8 g. Ref.: Göbl 762. Ex AMCC 1, lot 307.
I always considered the smaller denomination of these a drachm to the larger tetradrachm. Both were struck at at least three mints as I recall with separations made by style. They are dated using the number of rays on the head but I do not understand the system and recall the early had more. Two Tetradrachms, two mints (note rounded or squared letters and four prong tamgha on the second one) Two drachms (AE13)
Cool, @hotwheelsearl . My only Kushan... I captured mine from @John Anthony , who imparted a few bits of info to digest: INDIA, Kushan Empire. Vima Takto (Soter Megas). Æ Tetradrachm, 21mm, 8.5g, 12h; c. AD 80-100. Obv.: Radiate and diademed bust right, holding scepter; tamgha behind. Rev.: BACIΛЄV BACIΛЄVΩN CΩTHP MЄΓAC; Vima Takto on horseback right, holding axe; tamgha to lower right. Reference: Senior B17.1vT The Kushan empire was founded in Bactria by the Yuezhi, a group of Chinese nomadic pastoralists, after their displacement by the Xiongnu in the 2nd century BC. During the 1st century BCE, one of the five major Yuezhi tribes in Bactria, the Kushanas (Chinese: 貴霜; pinyin: Guishuang), began to subsume the other tribes and neighbouring peoples. The subsequent Kushan Empire, at its peak in the 3rd century CE, stretched from Turfan in the Tarim Basin, in the north to Pataliputra on the Gangetic plain of India in the south. The Kushanas played an important role in the development of trade on the Silk Road and the introduction of Buddhism to China. -wiki
Kushan silver: Silver obol, circa 5 BC - 45 AD, weight 0.59g , 12 mm Obverse: diademed and draped Greco-Bactrian style bust of king right, with beard and moustache. Reverse: Greek legend: HIAOVC NOIIANOV (Supposedly! Square letter forms, blundered), soldier standing right, holding wreath.
Here's an AE drachm of Kanishka I (reigned c. 120-144 AD, though the exact dates are far from certain) depicting the goddess Nanaia on reverse: Most Kushan coins are not rare, but finding them in higher grades can be a real challenge. I'd really like to get one of the rare types that depict the Buddha, but those are always popular and draw heavy bids in auctions, even in poor condition.
It’s worth noting that Joe Cribb, an expert on Kushan coins, identifies the obverse bust as Mithra, the Iranian sun god, on account of the solar rays. Hard to say if that’s correct, but it’s neat if so!
AE Kushan tetradrachm, Kujula Kadphises (30-80 AD). Obv. Head taken from Hermaios, with legible text (EP)MAIVO (sic). Rev. Hercules with a club, text in Kharoshthi. 21 mm, 5.62 gr. Cf. Hoover 309. Mitchiner AC 2844-. Pic from @Ancientnoob.
And have a look at my avatar, a memento for a coin I bid too low on, back in 2017. Never found another like it. This one was very special with its beautiful portrait of Oado, the god of the Winds blowing. Isn't that a beautiful depiction of the God of Winds! Large Kushan bronze tetradrachm (28 mm, 17 gr.), issued by King Kanishka, middle 3rd century AD. And what a large face that king has. Such a powerful coin!
