Kanishka I was the king of the Kushan Dynasty, he ruled this dynasty during the 2nd Century CE. He is well known for his military, political and spiritual achievement. He ruled the northern part of the Indian subcontinent, Afghanistan, and possibly areas of Central Asia north of the Kashmir region.

Kanishka I sat on the throne of the Kushan Empire in the year 78 CE and ruled this empire until 144CE; he ruled this empire for almost 23 years. After sitting on the throne of the Kushan Empire he contacted the Roman Empire via the Silk route and led to a significant increase in trade and exchange of ideas. The coins issued by him shows that he has honoured Zoroastrian, Greek, and Brahmanic deities as well as the Buddha.

This copper tetradrachm that weighs around 14.82g was issued by him during his rule in the Kushan Empire. The obverse of this coin depicts ‘Standing king facing towards left, sacrificing over the altar to left, traces of Bactrian legend. The reverse of this coin depicts ’Buddha seated cross-legged facing on a stool, one hand raised in a gesture of Abhayamudr? and holding kaman?alu (water pot) in the other’

Image Courtesy: Oswal Antiques