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Bactria, Kingdom of Kushans, Kanishka I, Göbl 766 cf.
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Kanishka I, AD 127-151
AE 22
obv. BACILEVC BACI - LEWN KANHiKOV (i should be read like sh as in Kushan)
Kanishka, bearded, wearing heavy Kushan cloak and trousers, long boots and
high hat, stg. facing, holding standard in l. hand and sacrificing with r. hand
over altar; from his shoulders emanating flames; club at feet r.(?)
rev. HLIOC
Helios, nimbate, stg. l., r. had hand raised in salvation gestus (Greek style)
left before monogram (tamgha) of Kanishka
cf. Göbl 766 (has HILOC in legend)
rare, good F/VF
Kanishka I was a very important ruler in South-East-Asia. While in his early years he was an adherent of syncretistic religions he later established Buddhism in his empire and became a crucial founder.
This type belongs to Kanishka's earlier years, because the legends are Greek. Later issues have legends in Kushan. Tamgha first was a brand for cattle, later it became a symbol for the nomadic clans too.
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