Coin of Kanishka

Art Historical Context

This exquisite gold coin, struck around 130 CE during the reign of Kanish, the great Kushan emperor, hails from the ancient region of Gand in present-day Pakistan. Measuring just 9/16 inch (1.4 cm) in diameter, it exemplifies the artistry of Kushan metalwork, where numismatics served as both currency and royal propaganda. Kanishka who ruled a vast empire stretching from Central Asia to northern India, used such coins to proclaim his power and religious patronage, blending diverse cultural influences in a time of Silk Road exchange. Gandhara's unique Greco-Buddhist style shines through Kushan ...