Sale: CNG 61, Lot: 989. Estimate $750.  Closing Date: Wednesday, 25 September 2002.  Sold For $850. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

INDIA. Kushans. Vima Kadphises. Circa 90-100 AD. AV Dinar (7.88 gm). Crowned bust on clouds right; tamgha behind / Siva standing facing; tamgha to left and Nandipada symbol to right. Göbl Kushan 18.2 (same obverse die). Nice VF, very light nicks. ($750)

The discovery of the Rabatak inscription has changed Kushan history by providing evidence to verify the elusive identity of 'Soter Megas'. His name was Vima Tak[to], the last syllable still uncertain. He was Vima Kadphises' father. Certain coin series formerly attributed to the son have now been reattributed to the father, one effect of this being the shortening of Kadphises' reign. The Rabatak inscription has helped confirm what Joe Cribb earlier proposed, i.e., that the Kanishka Era started between 100 AD and 120 AD. The precise date can not be more closely defined at this time. Based on this we will follow Mr. Cribb in dating KE 1=100 AD, bearing in mind the possibility of a 20 year variance.