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Research Coins: Electronic Auction

 
141, Lot: 129. Estimate $100.
Sold for $77. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

INDO-SKYTHIANS.Azes. Circa AD 80-100. Æ Tetradrachm (19mm, 8.43 g, 12h). Diademed bust right, holding sceptre; to left, tamgha / Horseman right, holding axe; to right, tamgha. Senior B17.1D. Near EF, green patina.



The Kushan Empire was founded by Kujulu Kadphises, whose son was Vima Takto. Kujulu Kadphises and, intially, Vima Takto issued coins that were largely imitative of the peoples they conquered. One of the most recognizable coins of the period bears an obverse portrait and a horseman on the back. The legend reads only Soter Megas - the Great Savior; the actual name of the issuing king long remained unknown. The discovery of the Rabatak inscription, though, changed Kushan history by providing evidence to verify the elusive identity of 'Soter Megas'. His name was Vima Tak[to] (the last syllable is still uncertain).