Kushan Empire, Vasudeva I (c.190-230 AD), gold dinar, 'OEShO' (Three headed Shiva) type, 20.53mm; 8.02g. Obv: king Vasudeva, nimbate, helmeted and diademed, standing facing left, holding trident, sword at hip held by belt, sacrificing over an altar to left; trident with ribbons to left, Bactrian legend Þ-AONANOÞAO BA-ZOΔHO KOÞANO (Vasudeva the Kushan, king of kings) around. Rev: four-armed and three-headed Shiva standing, facing, hair in topknot, wearing dhoti, holding trident, a diadem, a lotus, and a water pot; behind, the bull Nandi standing left with bell around neck, Bactrian legend OEShO below the bull's head, a tamgha in the right field, dotted border around.
Nicely struck specimen, Good very fine, Exceedingly rare.
We could find only one example of [four-armed, three-headed Shiva with the bull facing left] in the sales archives.
This very important, rare, and wonderfully detailed coin shows the unusual iconographic feature of Oesho/Shiva holding a lotus flower, which is usually associated with Vishnu. Shiva also has three human heads - those on the sides are of Aghora and Vāmadeva. Note the attention to detail in showing Nandi the bull wearing a tiny bell around his neck.
Vasudeva I was one of the last major ruler of the Kushan Empire, under whom the dynasty retained much of its former prestige before gradually fragmenting due to Sasanian pressure in the west and the rise of regional powers in India. His coinage, issued from regions extending between Bactria and northern India (Mathura), reflects a strong syncretic culture, combining Bactrian legends with distinctly Indian iconography. His coins frequently depicts Oesho (Shiva) standing beside his bull Nandi, symbolizing the growing prominence of Indian religious influence, while still retaining Greek legends and Kushan symbols.
Provenance: P.R. Krishna Collection
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