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Lot No.4
AUC50
Ancient India
Auction Date: 04-01-2026
Copper
Kushan Empire - copper tetradrachm of Kanishka I (c.127-151 AD), 'Buddha' type, main mint (probably Begram), late phase, Göbl 786, 26.07mm; 16.96g. Obv: Kanishka I standing facing, head left, wearing long beard, diadem with ribbons, conical cap, belted tunic, trousers, and boots, offering sacrifice at an altar at left, holding spear in left hand; Bactrian legend ShAO…NEShKI around. Rev: Shakyamuni Buddha standing facing, nimbate, hair in topknot, wearing monk's robes holding the end with folds in left hand at waist, right hand raised in gesture of abhayamudra; tamgha to left, Bactrian legend Cakamano Boudo around.
Very fine, Extremely rare.
Kanishka issued coins with Buddha image towards the end of his reign possibly to coincide with the Great Buddhist Congress he had hosted. Two depictions are known - one of the historic Buddha, or 'Shakyamuni' (this coin) and the other of the Future Buddha or 'Maitreya'. Buddha Shakyamuni is shown wearing monk's robes or 'Sanghati', held together in his left hand. With his right hand he makes a gesture of reassurance (Abhaya). This depiction is comparable to the one on the Bimaran relic casket and adjudged to be one of the earliest human depictions of the Buddha. While the Buddha himself disliked being worshipped as a god, this notion became a founding principle of Mahayana Buddhism, of which Kanishka was a patron.
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Estimated Price :
Rs. 1,50,000-2,00,000
Sold For :
Rs. 1,70,000
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