INDIA, Kushan Empire. Vima Kadphises. Circa AD 113-127. AV Double Dinar (25 mm, 15.94 g, 12h). Main mint in Baktria.

Triton XXV
Lot: 583. Estimated: $ 50 000

The Archytas Collection, Coin-in-Hand Video, Gold

Sold For $ 140 000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

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INDIA, Kushan Empire. Vima Kadphises. Circa AD 113-127. AV Double Dinar (25 mm, 15.94 g, 12h). Main mint in Baktria. BACIΛЄYC OOH MO KAΔΦICKC (sic), diademed and crowned figure of Vima Kadphises, cradling club in left arm, seated right in canopied chariot drawn by pair of horses; miniature charioteer before Vima, holding whip / Maharajasa rajadirajasa loga’iśvaraja maha’iśvarasa vima kathpiśasa in Kharosthi, ithyphallic Siva with two heads (mustached human and horned animal) standing facing, human head left, holding trident in right hand and water flask in left; left arm draped with animal skin; Buddhist Triratana (Three Jewels) to left; tamgha to right. Bopearachchi, Premiers, Série VI, 9 = Bopearchchi, Some 2 (this coin); MK –, but cf. 5 (dinar); ANS Kushan –; Donum Burns –; Adams IV –. Good VF. Extremely rare.

From the Archytas Collection. Ex Triton XI (8 January 2008), lot 370.

On this exceedingly rare gold double dinar, the only specimen to have ever appeared at public auction, we find Vima Kadphises carrying a club and riding in a parasoled chariot, drawn by two horses. The parasoled chariot was the preserve of the most powerful rulers of Ancient times from the Middle East across to China and down into the Indian Subcontinent. For the Kushans the use of the chariot may have been familiar because of their Yueh Chi ancestry. A similar parasoled chariot to that which is depicted on this coin was discovered among the Terracotta Army in the tomb complex of Qin Shi Huang (259-210 BC), the first Chinese emperor.

The final winners of all Triton XXV lots will be determined at the live public sale that will be held on 11-12 January 2022. Triton XXV – Session Two – Greek Coinage (Part 2) through Roman Provincial Coinage will be held Tuesday afternoon, 11 January 2022 beginning at 2:00 PM ET.

Winning bids are subject to a 20% buyer's fee for bids placed on this website and 22.50% for all others.

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