Classical Numismatic Group, LLC
Triton XXV 11-12 Jan 2022
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INDIA, Kushan Empire. Vima Kadphises. Circa AD 113-127. AV Double Dinar (25 mm, 15.94 g, 12h). Main mint in Baktria. BACIΛЄYC OOH MO KAΔΦICKC (sic), diademed and crowned figure of Vima Kadphises, cradling club in left arm, seated right in canopied chariot drawn by pair of horses; miniature charioteer before Vima, holding whip / Maharajasa rajadirajasa loga'iśvaraja maha'iśvarasa vima kathpiśasa in Kharosthi, ithyphallic Siva with two heads (mustached human and horned animal) standing facing, human head left, holding trident in right hand and water flask in left; left arm draped with animal skin; Buddhist Triratana (Three Jewels) to left; tamgha to right. Bopearachchi, Premiers, Série VI, 9 = Bopearchchi, Some 2 (this coin); MK –, but cf. 5 (dinar); ANS Kushan –; Donum Burns –; Adams IV –. Good VF. Extremely rare.
From the Archytas Collection. Ex Triton XI (8 January 2008), lot 370.
On this exceedingly rare gold double dinar, the only specimen to have ever appeared at public auction, we find Vima Kadphises carrying a club and riding in a parasoled chariot, drawn by two horses. The parasoled chariot was the preserve of the most powerful rulers of Ancient times from the Middle East across to China and down into the Indian Subcontinent. For the Kushans the use of the chariot may have been familiar because of their Yueh Chi ancestry. A similar parasoled chariot to that which is depicted on this coin was discovered among the Terracotta Army in the tomb complex of Qin Shi Huang (259-210 BC), the first Chinese emperor.
From the Archytas Collection. Ex Triton XI (8 January 2008), lot 370.
On this exceedingly rare gold double dinar, the only specimen to have ever appeared at public auction, we find Vima Kadphises carrying a club and riding in a parasoled chariot, drawn by two horses. The parasoled chariot was the preserve of the most powerful rulers of Ancient times from the Middle East across to China and down into the Indian Subcontinent. For the Kushans the use of the chariot may have been familiar because of their Yueh Chi ancestry. A similar parasoled chariot to that which is depicted on this coin was discovered among the Terracotta Army in the tomb complex of Qin Shi Huang (259-210 BC), the first Chinese emperor.