Classical Numismatic Group, LLC
Auction 117 19-20 May 2021
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INDIA, Kushan Empire. Vasudeva I. Circa AD 192-225. AV Dinar (20.5mm, 8.00 g, 12h). Main mint in Baktria (Balkh?). Early phase. ÞαO(retrograde h)α(retrograde h)OÞαO Bα ZOαkO KOÞ(retrograde h)O, Vasudeva, nimbate, helmeted, and diademed, standing facing, head left, holding trident, sacrificing over altar to left; filleted trident to left / OhÞO to left, three-headed Siva standing facing, holding a garland or diadem in extended right hand and trident in left; behind, the bull Nandi standing left with head bowed right in supplication towards Siva's feet to right; tamgha to upper left. MK 501 (O1/R4) Cribb & Bracey F.G1i = FdS 266 = Rosenfield 208 = BM Inv. 1879,0501.91; Cunningham 8 (same reverse die); ANS Kushan –; cf. Donum Burns 503 (for type); Triton XX, lot 437 (same dies). Light toning, hint of deposits in devices, slight double strike on obverse. Good VF. Extremely rare, one of four examples known from this die pair.
From the Archytas Collection.
In the traditional henotheistic view of Hinduism, Siva is one part of the Trimurti, the three aspects which make up the supreme godhead (the other two being Brahma, the Creator, and Visnu, the preserver). On Kushan coins depicting Siva, the god is sometimes portrayed as a figure with a tripartite head and in association with Nandi, the bull of happiness and strength. Here, Nandi bows to Sivs, indicating that happiness and strength is subject to the supreme godhead.
From the Archytas Collection.
In the traditional henotheistic view of Hinduism, Siva is one part of the Trimurti, the three aspects which make up the supreme godhead (the other two being Brahma, the Creator, and Visnu, the preserver). On Kushan coins depicting Siva, the god is sometimes portrayed as a figure with a tripartite head and in association with Nandi, the bull of happiness and strength. Here, Nandi bows to Sivs, indicating that happiness and strength is subject to the supreme godhead.