Lot 2345

Description

Kanishka II, (c.A.D. 332-350), gold stater, (7.84 grams), obv. king standing, head turned left, holding sceptre in left hand, sacrificing with right hand over altar, trident above altar, legend around, Kanishka II symbols in field, rev. Siva standing facing holding trident, bull to left behind, legend OhpO downwards on right, (Gobl 634.6 (same obverse die), M.3503). Nearly extremely fine and very scarce.

Kanishka II struck two types of staters, one as above probably from Kabul mint, the other like the issue of Vasu Deva III coinage in this sale probably from Taxila. They all appear with additional letters in various parts of the obverse field. Under Kanishka II the representation of the king's dress changed. Earlier issues show a military chain mail coat but from this ruler it becomes a loose fitting robe with a short cut in the front. This development has been regarded as reflecting the assimilation of the Kushan with Indian culture.