Kushan Empire, page 1

k u s h a n  e m p i r e

In the early 2nd century BC, a tribe on the Central Asian frontier of China called Hsiung-nu defeated a neighboring one known as Yueh-chih. After more conflict, the survivors of the Yueh-chih were dislocated west, passing down the Ili river valley and along the southern shore of lake Issyk Kul. This movement also pushed Saka tribes (and others) ahead of them. Sometime between 145 and 125 BC, these nomad invaders burst into Bactria and Parthia. A generation later, they were pressing into the Kabul valley and onto the Punjab plain. At around the beginning of the Christian era, one of the five Yueh-chih chiefs, K'iu-tsiu-k'io, attacked and defeated the others, leaving his clan in control; the Kuei-shang (Kushans).

The dating of the reign starts and lengths of the Kushan kings is based on inscriptional evidence that no one seems to agree upon. The 'lynch pin' is year 1 of a Kanishka I Era (his reign may have started a bit earlier) and has been set as early as the middle of the 1st and as late as the middle of the 3rd century AD. Recently, Harry Falk has shown through an Indian text, the Yavanajataka, that the Kanishka Era has to have begun in 127/8 AD. From inscriptions there are reference to Kanishka Era years 2 through 98, this last date being somewhere toward the end (?) of the reign of Vasu Deva I (98 = circa 225 AD). It was within a few years or so that the Sasanian king Ardashir I invaded the western part of the Kushans' kingdom and installed Sasanian princes (the Kushanshahs) as governors. New evidence from recently found Bactrian documents supports the date of 233 AD as being the beginning of a 'Kushanshah Era'; the date of the collapse of Kushan hegemony in the western part of their kingdom. In the east, the Kushans and their descendants struggled on for another 100+ years.

Please also see Pankaj Tandon's site, CoinIndia, the Virtual Museum of Indian Coins

r e f e r e n c e s

Kujula Kadphises (circa 30 - 80 AD)

Senior ISCH type 1 "Kushan"

[Heraios] 30K JPG
Kujula Kadphises/'Heraios' (circa 30 - 80 AD)
AR Tetradrachm
Senior ISCH B1.2T; Mitchiner ACW 2836, Mitchiner ECCA 97 (Bamiyan)
29 x 30 mm.
15.63 gm.
Die position=12h
reverse
Obverse: Bust right.
Reverse: King mounted on horse walking right, Nike crowning him with wreath. Greek legend.
Note: Courtesy Peter A. Linenthal collection.

Compare the bust on this coin to part of a relief found in a Kushan palace on the territory of ancient Chaghaniyan.

Senior ISCH type 2 "Kushan"

[Heraios] 7K JPG
Kujula Kadphises/'Heraios' (circa 30 - 80 AD)
AR Obol
Senior ISCH B2 type; Mitchiner ACW 2840 - 2843v., Mitchiner ECCA 98 (Bamiyan)
12 mm.
0.69 gm.
Die position=12h
reverse
Obverse: Bust right.
Reverse: Soldier standing right holding wreath. Corrupt Greek legend.

[Heraios] 6K JPG
Kujula Kadphises/'Heraios' (circa 30 - 80 AD)
AR Obol
Senior ISCH B2 type; Mitchiner ACW 2840 - 2843v., Mitchiner ECCA 98 (Bamiyan)
12 x 11 mm.
0.38 gm.
Die position=12h
reverse
Obverse: Bust right.
Reverse: Soldier standing right holding wreath. Corrupt Greek legend.

[Heraios] 6K JPG
Kujula Kadphises/'Heraios' (circa 30 - 80 AD)
AR Obol
Senior ISCH B2 type; Mitchiner ACW 2840 - 2843v., Mitchiner ECCA 98 (Bamiyan)
12 x 11 mm.
0.46 gm.
Die position=12h
reverse
Obverse: Bust right.
Reverse: Soldier standing right holding wreath. Corrupt Greek legend.

[Heraios] 8K JPG
Kujula Kadphises/'Heraios' (circa 30 - 80 AD)
AR Obol
Senior ISCH B2 type; Mitchiner ACW 2840 - 2843v., Mitchiner ECCA 98 (Bamiyan)
12 x 13 mm.
0.43 gm.
Die position=12h
reverse
Obverse: Bust right.
Reverse: Soldier standing right holding wreath. Corrupt Greek legend.

[Heraios] 30K JPG
Kujula Kadphises/'Heraios' (circa 30 - 80 AD)
AR Obol
Senior ISCH B2.2; Mitchiner ACW 2835, Mitchiner ECCA 99 (Qunduz)
11 x 10 mm.
0.35 gm.
Die position=11h
reverse
Obverse: Bust right.
Reverse: Soldier standing right holding wreath. Corrupt Greek legend (with round letterforms).
Note: Courtesy Peter A. Linenthal collection.

Senior ISCH type 3 Kujula Kadphises

AE Tetradrachm similar to the 'Heraios' coinage (or maybe imitating it).
Obverse: Bust of king right. Legend: Maharayasa Rayatirayasa Devaputrasa Kuyula Kara Kapasa
Reverse: King riding right. Kharosthi Bu before horse.

Senior ISCH type 4 Kujula Kadphises

AR or Billon drachm.
Obverse: Bearded bust left in pointed tiara with two diadem ends; corrupt Greek legend around.
Reverse: Helmeted, winged Nike left holding wreath.

Senior ISCH type 5 Kujula Kadphises

[Kujula] 15K JPG
Kujula Kadphises (circa 30 - 80 AD)
AE Didrachm
Senior ISCH B5.1; Mitchiner ACW 2873 (Uncertain Western mint), Mitchiner ECCA -
20 x 19 mm.
4.64 gm.
Die position=7h
reverse
Obverse: Bust right; Greek legend.
Reverse: Soldier standing right holding spear and bow (or shield (?)).
Note: Courtesy Peter A. Linenthal collection.

[Kujula] 11K JPG
Kujula Kadphises (circa 30 - 80 AD)
AE Didrachm
Senior ISCH B5.1; Mitchiner ACW 2873 (Uncertain Western mint), Mitchiner ECCA -
19 x 18 mm.
4.11 gm.
Die position=12h
reverse
Obverse: Bust right; Greek legend.
Reverse: Soldier standing right holding spear and bow (or shield (?)).
Note: Courtesy Peter A. Linenthal collection.

Senior ISCH type 6.1 Kujula Kadphises

Kujula's name in Kharosthi only.

[Kujula] 16K JPG
Kujula Kadphises (circa 30 - 80 AD)
AE Tetradrachm
Senior ISCH B6 type; Mitchiner ACW 2844 - 2848 (Kabul Valley)
23 mm.
7.27 gm.
Die position=10h
reverse
Obverse: Diademed bust right, imitative of Hermaeus; Greek legend.
Reverse: Hercules standing left, holding club and lion skin; Kharosthi legend.

[Kujula] 16K JPG
Kujula Kadphises (circa 30 - 80 AD)
AE Tetradrachm
Senior ISCH B6 type; Mitchiner ACW 2897 - 2910
22 mm.
7.51 gm.
Die position=10h
reverse
Obverse: Diademed bust right, imitative of Hermaeus; corrupt Greek legend.
Reverse: Hercules standing facing, holding club and lion skin; Karosthi legend.

[Kujula] 15K JPG
Kujula Kadphises (circa 30 - 80 AD)
AE Tetradrachm
Senior ISCH B6 type; Mitchiner ACW 2897 - 2910
23 x 22 mm.
7.65 gm.
Die position=11h
reverse
Obverse: Diademed bust right, imitative of Hermaeus; corrupt Greek legend.
Reverse: Hercules standing facing, holding club and lion skin; Karosthi legend.
Note: Courtesy Peter A. Linenthal collection.

[Kujula] 13K JPG
Local Imitatons of Kujula Kadphises' coinage (circa 60 - 100 AD)
AE Tetradrachm
Senior ISCH B6 type; Mitchiner ACW 2907
19 mm.
3.90 gm.
Die position=10h
reverse
Obverse: Diademed, stereotyped bust right, imitative of Hermaeus; corrupt Greek legend.
Reverse: Hercules standing facing, holding club and lion skin; Karosthi legend.

[Kujula] 9K JPG
Local Imitatons of Kujula Kadphises' coinage (circa 60 - 100 AD)
AE Drachm or Tetradrachm
Senior ISCH B6 type; Mitchiner ACW 2909
16 mm.
2.82 gm.
Die position=8h
reverse
Obverse: Diademed, stereotyped bust right, imitative of Hermaeus; corrupt Greek legend.
Reverse: Hercules standing facing, holding club and lion skin; Karosthi legend.

Senior ISCH type 6.2 Kujula Kadphises

Kujula's name in both Greek and Kharosthi.

[Kujula] 24K JPG
Kujula Kadphises (circa 30 - 80 AD)
AE Tetradrachm
Senior ISCH B6 type; Mitchiner ACW 2859 - 2860 (Gandhara)
24 mm.
8.84 gm.
Die position=11h
reverse
Obverse: Diademed bust right, imitative of Hermaeus; Greek legend.
Reverse: Hercules standing right, holding club and lion skin; Karosthi legend. Control marks.

[Kujula] 12K JPG
Kujula Kadphises (circa 30 - 80 AD)
AE Tetradrachm
Senior ISCH B6 type; Mitchiner ACW 2859 - 2860 (Gandhara)
20 x 22 mm.
5.25 gm.
Die position=10h
reverse
Obverse: Diademed bust right, imitative of Hermaeus; Greek legend.
Reverse: Hercules standing right, holding club and lion skin; Karosthi legend. Control marks.
Note: Courtesy Peter A. Linenthal collection.

[Kujula] 12K JPG
Kujula Kadphises (circa 30 - 80 AD)
AE Tetradrachm
Senior ISCH B6.2 type;
22 x 23 mm.
6.29 gm.
Die position=2h
reverse
Obverse: Diademed bust right, imitative of Hermaeus; Greek legend.
Reverse: Hercules standing right, holding club and lion skin; Karosthi legend. Control marks.

Senior ISCH type 7 Kujula Kadphises

[Kujula] 9K JPG
Kujula Kadphises (circa 30 - 80 AD)
AE Drachm
Senior ISCH B7.1; Mitchiner ACW 2856
16 mm.
2.67 gm.
Die position=2h
reverse
Obverse: Diademed bust, right; 'pseudo-Hermaeus' Greek legend around.
Reverse: Winged Nike left holding wreath; Monogram 25v./40v. in right field. Kharosthi legend.
Note: Courtesy Peter A. Linenthal collection.

[Kujula] 9K JPG
Kujula Kadphises (circa 30 - 80 AD)
AE Drachm
Senior ISCH B7.1; Mitchiner ACW 2856
17 x 16 mm.
2.28 gm.
Die position=3h
reverse
Obverse: Diademed bust, right; 'pseudo-Hermaeus' Greek legend around.
Reverse: Winged Nike left holding wreath; Monogram 40 in right field. Kharosthi legend.
Note: Courtesy Peter A. Linenthal collection.

[Kujula] 14K JPG
Kujula Kadphises (circa 30 - 80 AD)
AE or Pb Drachm
Senior ISCH B7.1; Mitchiner ACW 2856
18 mm.
3.13 gm.
Die position=9h
reverse
Obverse: Diademed bust, right; 'pseudo-Hermaeus' Greek legend around.
Reverse: Winged Nike left holding wreath; Monogram 40 in right field. Kharosthi legend.

[Kujula] 10K JPG
Kujula Kadphises (circa 30 - 80 AD)
AE Drachm
Senior ISCH B7.1; Mitchiner ACW 2856
16 x 17 mm.
2.15 gm.
Die position=1h
reverse
Obverse: Diademed bust, right; 'pseudo-Hermaeus' Greek legend around.
Reverse: Winged Nike left holding wreath; Monogram 40 in right field. Kharosthi legend.

[Kujula] 6K JPG
Kujula Kadphises (circa 30 - 80 AD)
AE Drachm
Senior ISCH B7.1; Mitchiner ACW 2856
15 x 14 mm.
1.80 gm.
Die position=3h
reverse
Obverse: Diademed bust, right; 'pseudo-Hermaeus' Greek legend around. Round object in right field (?).
Reverse: Winged Nike left holding wreath; Monogram 40 in right field. Kharosthi legend.

[Kujula] 11K JPG
Kujula Kadphises (circa 30 - 80 AD)
AE Drachm
Senior ISCH B7.1; Mitchiner ACW 2856
16 x 15 mm.
2.16 gm.
Die position=1h
reverse
Obverse: Diademed bust, right; 'pseudo-Hermaeus' Greek legend around. Round object in right field (?).
Reverse: Winged Nike left holding wreath; Monogram 40 in right field. Kharosthi Pra in left field. Kharosthi legend.
Note: Later or imitative type.

Senior ISCH type 8 Kujula Kadphises

[Kujula] 13K JPG
Kujula Kadphises (circa 30 - 80 AD)
AE Drachm
Senior ISCH B8.2; Mitchiner ACW 2854
20 x 18 mm.
4.27 gm.
Die position=6h
reverse
Obverse: Diademed bust, right; 'pseudo-Hermaeus' Greek legend around.
Reverse: Enthroned Zeus left; Monogram 40 in right field with Kharosthi Pra above. Monogram 49 in left field. Kharosthi legend.

[Kujula] 13K JPG
Kujula Kadphises (circa 30 - 80 AD)
AE Drachm
Senior ISCH B8.2; Mitchiner ACW 2854
18 x 19 mm.
2.80 gm.
Die position=9h
reverse
Obverse: Diademed bust, right; 'pseudo-Hermaeus' Greek legend around.
Reverse: Enthroned Zeus left; Monogram 40 in right field with Kharosthi Pra (?) above. Kharosthi legend.

Senior ISCH type 9 Kujula Kadphises

[Kujula] 8K JPG
Kujula Kadphises (circa 30 - 80 AD)
AE Drachm
Senior ISCH B9.1; Mitchiner ACW 2875
18 mm.
3.21 gm.
Die position=7h
reverse
Obverse: 'Augustus' style bust, right; Greek legend around.
Reverse: King right seated in curule chair. Monogram 157 in left field. Kharosthi legend.
Note: Monogram 157 occurs only on this issue and the Kharahostes family coins. Courtesy Peter A. Linenthal collection.

[Kujula] 11K JPG
Kujula Kadphises (circa 30 - 80 AD)
AE Drachm
Senior ISCH B9.1; Mitchiner ACW 2875
17 x 18 mm.
2.56 gm.
Die position=9h
reverse
Obverse: 'Augustus' style bust, right; Greek legend around.
Reverse: King right seated in curule chair. Monogram 157 in left field. Kharosthi legend.
Note: Monogram 157 occurs only on this issue and the Kharahostes family coins.

[Kujula] 8K JPG
Kujula Kadphises (circa 30 - 80 AD)
AE Drachm
Senior ISCH B9.1; Mitchiner ACW 2875
18 mm.
2.88 gm.
Die position=11h
reverse
Obverse: 'Augustus' style bust, right; Greek legend around.
Reverse: King right seated in curule chair. Monogram 157 in left field. Kharosthi legend.
Note: Monogram 157 occurs only on this issue and the Kharahostes family coins. Courtesy Peter A. Linenthal collection.

Senior ISCH type 10 Kujula Kadphises

AE Drachm.
Obverse: King seated facing cross-legged with right hand raised.
Reverse: Zeus standing right.

Senior ISCH type 11 Kujula Kadphises

[Kujula] 15K JPG
Kujula Kadphises (circa 30 - 80 AD)
AE Pentachalkon
Senior ISCH B11 type; Mitchiner ACW 2887 - 2888v.
22 mm.
9.67 gm.
Die position=10h
Magnetic.
reverse
Obverse: Humped bull walking right; Nandipada symbol above. Kharosthi Pu before bull.
Reverse: Camel, right. Kharosthi Ga above and Pu [and other aksara] before camel.

[Kujula] 20K JPG
Kujula Kadphises (circa 30 - 80 AD)
AE Pentachalkon
Senior ISCH B11 type; Mitchiner ACW 2892v.
23 mm.
10.70 gm.
Die position=10h
Magnetic.
reverse
Obverse: Humped bull walking right; Nandipada symbol above. Kharosthi aksara before bull.
Reverse: Camel, right. Kharosthi Ga above and aksara before camel.
Note: Courtesy Peter A. Linenthal collection.

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b a c k  t o  a n c i e n t  c o i n s

if i've made a mistake or if you have a comment you can drop me a line at
tkmallon-mccorgray@grifterrec.com