In the coinage of the North Indian and Central AsianKushan Empire (approximately 30–375 CE), the main coins issued were gold, weighing 7.9 grams, and base metal issues of various weights between 12 g and 1.5 g. Little silver coinage was issued, but in later periods the gold used was debased with silver.[1]
The coin designs usually broadly follow the styles of the precedingGreco-Bactrian rulers in usingHellenistic styles of image, with a deity on one side and the king on the other. Kings may be shown as a profile head, a standing figure, typically officiating at afire altar inZoroastrian style, or mounted on a horse. The artistry of the dies is generally lower than the exceptionally high standards of the best coins of Greco-Bactrian rulers. Continuing influence from Roman coins can be seen in designs of the late 1st and 2nd century CE, and also in mint practices evidenced on the coins, as well as a gradual reduction in the value of the metal in base metal coins, so that they become virtual tokens. Iranian influence, especially in the royal figures and thepantheon of deities used, is even stronger.[2] Under Kanishka the royal title of "King of kings" changed from the Greek "ΒΑΣΙΛΕΥΣ ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΝ" to the Persian form "ϷAONANOϷAO" (Shah of Shahs).[3]
Much of what little information we have of Kushan political history derives from coins. The language of inscriptions is typically theBactrian language, written in a script derived from Greek. Many coins show thetamga symbols (see table) as a kind of monogram for the ruler. There were several regional mints, and the evidence from coins suggests that much of the empire was semi-independent.
The Kushan religiouspantheon is varied, as revealed by their coins and their seals, on which more than 30 different gods appear, belonging to the Hellenistic, the Iranian, and the Indian world. Greek deities, with Greek names are represented on early coins. During Kanishka's reign, the language of the coinage changes toBactrian (though it remained in Greek script for all kings). After Huvishka, only two divinities appear on the coins:ArdoxshoLakshmi andOesho orShiva(see details below).
Representation of entities from Greek mythology and Hellenistic syncretism are:
The Indic entities represented on coinage include:
The Iranian entities depicted on coinage include:
Additionally:
MacDowell (1968) identified three regional copper issues ofKajula Kadphises andVima Taktu of separate coinage in their first issue, which would correspond to the three previous realms making up the Kushan empire. The northern area,Bactria which had the largest sized coins of 12 g (tetradrachms) and 1.5 g,Gandhara whose coinage weighed 9–10 g for large and 2 g for small, and the Indian area, where coins are 4 g each.
MacDowell (1960) proposed a gradual reduction of all three issues starting withHuvishka, while Chattopadhyay (1967) proposes a rapid devaluation of the issue byKanishka. It seems that there were two reductions based on the coinage of the rulers just named.[7]Later issues were unified into a central coinage system of weights.
![Bronze coin of Vima Takto. Corrupted Greek legend ΒΑΣΙΛΕΥ ΒΑΣΙΛΕΥΩΝ ΣΩΤΗΡ [ΓΗΕ.]: "The King of Kings, Saviour"](/mt/?noimg=&dark=on&url=http%3a%2f%2fen.wikipedia.org%2fwiki%2fFile%3aCoin_of_Kushan_King_Vima_Takto.jpg)
Vima Kadphises issued three denominations of for this metal, a two of 15.75 grams, one of 7.8 grams and a quarter dinar piece of 1.95 grams.[8]
The coinage of the Kushans was copied as far as theKushano-Sasanians in the west, and the kingdom ofSamatata inBengal to the east. Towards the end of Kushan rule, the first coinage of theGupta Empire was also derived from the coinage of the Kushan Empire, adopting its weight standard, techniques and designs, following the conquests ofSamudragupta in the northwest.[11][12][13][10] The imagery on Gupta coins then became more Indian in both style and subject matter compared to earlier dynasties, where Greco-Roman and Persian styles were mostly followed.[14][13][15][16] The standard coin type ofSamudragupta, the first Gupta ruler to issue coins, is highly similar to the coinage of the later Kushan rulers, including the sacrificial scene over an altar, the depiction of a halo, while differences include the headdress of the ruler (a close-fitting cap instead of the Kushan pointed hat), the Garuda standard instead of the trident, and Samudragupta's jewelry, which is Indian.[9]
