Coin of Kushan King Vima Kadphises
Unknown Artist
100–200s CE
Medium
gold
Dimensions
diam. 2.2 cm
Classification
Coins
Department
Indian and Southeast Asian Art
Museum
Cleveland Museum of Art
Credit
Anonymous Gift
Accession Number
1999.225
About this artwork
This gold coin represents the reigns of the Kushana ruler, Vima Kadphises. The coin bears a portrait of the ruler on the obverse and various deities on the reverse. It is identified by an inscription in Kharosthi, the language used in northwestern India during the Kushan period. The reverse depicts the figure of Hercules with the skin of the Nemean lion draped over his forearm and the lion's scalp also worn over his head. The Kushans primarily identified with Zoroastrian religious practice, but ...