Baker Collection (Indian)

Lot 3816    Session 13 (2.30pm Friday)    Baker Collection (Indian)

Estimate $300
Bid at live.noble.com.au
SOLD $400

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.

Ex Noble Numismatics Sale 49 (lot 2345). Kanishka II struck two types of staters, one as above probably from Kabul mint, the other like the issue of Vasu Deva III coinage 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.