INDIA, Kushan Empire. Vima Kadphises, circa 100-127/8. Double Dinar (Gold, 25 mm, 15.84 g, 12 h), uncertain mint in Baktria. ΒΑCIΛЄΥC OOHMO KAΔΦΙCHC ('King Vima Kadphises' in Greek) Crowned and draped bust of Vima Kadphises emerging from clouds or a mountain top to left with flames on his right shoulder, holding knobbed club in his right hand and clasps hilt of sword with his left; in field to upper left, tamgha.
Rev. 'Maharajasa Rajadirajasa Sarvaloga Isvarasa Mahisvarasa Vima Kathphishasa Tratara' ('of the Great King, the King of Kings, Lord of All the World, the Mahesvara, Vima Kadphises, the Defender' in Kharoshti) Ithyphallic Oesho (Shiva) standing front, head to right, holding trident in his right hand and water pot in his left, deerskin draped over his left arm; behind, his companion, the bull Nandi, standing right; in field to left, tamgha. ANS Kushan 263; Donum Burns -. Very rare. A bold and attractive example of this impressive large gold issue. Extremely fine.
From the collection of Hendrik Hortz, religious studies scholar and journalist, and from the Shir Mohammad Collection, Roma XVIII, 29 September 2019, 738.
Vima Kadphises was the first Kushan ruler to mint gold coins. With Kushan influence extending protective control over the Silk Road, Roman gold flowed into Kushan hands through trade with the Roman Empire in luxury goods like silk, spices, and other exotic items and thus providing the metal for India’s first gold coinage. While dinars and their smaller denominations were evidently intended to facilitate international trade, the purpose of the very rare double dinars remains less clear. Though they may have been used in larger commercial exchanges, their rarity suggests they likely held a more special, perhaps ceremonial, role, for example as gifts to favored allies as a means of securing loyalty.
