Kushans, AE tetradrachm, Vima Kadphises

Kushan Empire – Vima Kadphises (100–128 AD)

AE tetradrachm (17.22 g)

Begram Mint

OBVERSE: Bactrian legend “BACIΛЄYC BACIΛЄωN CωThP MЄΓAC OOhMO KAΔΦICHC” (“King of Kings, the Great Saviour, Vima Kadphises”). The king stands facing, head left, sacrificing over altar; trident to left, tamgha and club to right

REVERSE: Kharosthi legend “Maharajasa rajadirajasa sarvaloga iśvarasa mahiśvarasa hima kaphthiśasa tradarasa” (“Of the Great King, King of Kings, Lord of the World, Great Lord, Vima Kadphises, the Saviour”). Śiva standing facing, holding trident; behind, the bull Nandi standing right; Buddhist triratana (Three Jewels) symbol to left

A Classic type of Vima Kadphises, combining Indic and Hellenistic motifs

Near XF. Deep dark patina, some minor cleaning hairlines. A well centered and struck example. RARE to find this nice!

Highly valued due to the fact that on the obverse figure of Vima Kadphises one can see a prominent protrusion in the lower garment areasually in the form of “phallus” or “male appendage”

And on the reverse, the figure of Siva clearly shows a defined facial expression and a distinct ithyphallic depiction (i.e. an erect phallus)

Z-344613 (this coin)

numisbids.com (similar coin sold)

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