Coin of King Vasudev

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Description

King Vasudev is shown here wearing a long Iranian coat, making an offering to the fire.

Kushana, a nomadic tribe from the Chinese frontier, controlled the North-West part of ancient India, traditionally
known as Gandhara (now in Pakistan). The Kushanas came through Bactria, and their innovative and creative abilities are
reflected in their art as well as in their coins. They were the first to issue gold coins in India.
Initially imitating Greek coins, the Kushana later developed their own distinctive style. Like the Romans, they too wished to use their coins as a means of communicating to their subjects their own glory. Thus the king is seen in various attitudes — seated, standing, or riding an elephant.
The reverse of their coins is like a picture reference of deities from Greek, Bactrian and Indian pantheons. Having legends in Brahmi, Kharoshti and Greek, their coins were mainly made of gold and copper. Kanishka was the most known king among them.

Collection

Numismatics

Object Type

Gold Coin

Material

Gold

Schools/Culture/Period

Kushana period

Technique

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Date

1st–2nd century CE

Location

North India

Dimension

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