The Kushan Empire covered much what is now Afghanistan, Pakistan and Northern India from about the first to the third century AD. They grew wealthy controlling trade centers on the Silk Road and on the Indus River and incorporated elements of the Greek, Roman, Chinese, Persian, Indian and other cultures into their lives. Their coins incorporate Greek designs and often use a corrupted Greek alphabet in the legends. Kujula Kadphises united a loose confederation of tribes to form the Kushan Empire in about 30AD. He further expanded the Empire until his death in 80AD. This bronze tetradrachm of Kujula Kadphises features a Greek style diademed head on the obverse and Hercules with a club or another Greek deity on the reverse. The coin grades Good to Fine. We also have well made bronze Tetradrachms of Kushan king “Soter Megas”. The title “Soter Megas” means Great Savior. The coin, which grades VG to Fine, shows the Greek style diademed bust of the king on one side, and the king on horseback on the other. The king thought of himself as being so great, he did not need to put his actual name on the coin. Until quite recently however, scholars did not know who really was! It is now believed that he is Vima Takha who succeeded Kujula Kadphises, ruling from 80AD to 105AD. He expanded his empire into what is now Pakistan. We also have a number of worn, unidentified Kushan thick bronze Tetradrachms and bronze Drachms I don’t have the time to work these up. Most coins feature the king standing on one side and a Greek, Indian or other deity on the other. The unidentified coins date from about 105 to 225AD and grade Poor to Good.
Military Challenge Coins
ReplyDeleteWOW! These coins are awesome i also have bronze coins but these are different from them.