Two Rare Kanishka Dinars with Greek Legends

CNG 105, Lot: 541. Estimate $3000. Sold for $11000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

INDIA, Kushan Empire. Kanishka I. Circa AD 127/8-152. AV Dinar (21mm, 7.90 g, 12h). Main mint in Baktria (Balkh?). Early phase. BACIΛЄYC BACI ΛЄωN KANHÞKOY, Kanishka, diademed and crowned, standing facing, head left, holding scepter, sacrificing over altar to left; flame at shoulder / HΛIOC, Helios, nimbate and diademed, standing facing, head left, raising right hand in benedictional gesture, left hand on hip; tamgha to left. MK 25 (O1/R1) = Cribb & Bracey D.G1i = A. Cunningham, “Coins of the Kushâns, or Great Yue-ti,” NC 1892, 1 = FdS 21 = Göbl, Antike 3358 = Rosenfield 90 = BM inv. 1888, 1208.537 (same dies); ANS Kushan –; Donum Burns –; Triton XVI, lot 654 (same dies). Near VF. Extremely rare, only three examples cited by Göbl (one in the BM; the second in Berlin [possibly a forgery]; the third in Seaby Coin & Medal Bulletin 730 [June 1979], no. A602).