Both sides of an irregularly shaped gold coin with relief decoration on each side.
Photo © President and Fellows of Harvard College
Photo © President and Fellows of Harvard College

On the side of the coin on the left is a deity, half man, half woman standing centered, right arm outstretched holding a crown, left arm by side holding a long trident; behind, a large humped bull facing left with head slightly turned; surrounding the border, small dots and the characters: O E S H O. The other side of the coin depicts a man standing facing left, wearing a cone shaped crown and striped clothing, right arm outstretched pouring liquid onto an alter below, left hand holding a trident; surrounding the border, the characters: S H A O N A N O S H A O / B A Z [O] D E O / K O S H A N O.

Identification and Creation

Object Number
1.1965.2731
People
Vasudeva I, Kushan (r. c. 192 - 225 CE)
Title
Coin of Vasudeva
Classification
Coins
Work Type
coin
Date
191 -231 CE
Places
Creation Place: Ancient & Byzantine World, Asia, India (Ancient Asia)
Period
Kushan period, c.100 BCE-250 CE
Culture
Indo-Greek
Persistent Link
https://hvrd.art/o/170107

Location

Location
Level 3, Room 3440, Ancient Mediterranean and Middle Eastern Art, Ancient Middle Eastern Art in the Service of Kings
View this object's location on our interactive map

Physical Descriptions

Medium
Gold
Metal
AV
Technique
Struck
Dimensions
7.94 g
Die Axis
12
Denomination
dinar
Inscriptions and Marks
  • Obverse Inscription: SHAONANOSHAO BAZ[O]DEO KOSHANO
  • Reverse Inscription: OESHO

State, Edition, Standard Reference Number

Standard Reference Number
Rosenfield, p. 108, Type 4

Acquisition and Rights

Credit Line
Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Loan from the Trustees of the Arthur Stone Dewing Greek Numismatic Foundation
Object Number
1.1965.2731
Division
Asian and Mediterranean Art
Contact
am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu
Permissions

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Descriptions

Description
Obverse: The king standing pouring libation over Zoroastrian altar; tamga symbol (ruler’s monogram)
Reverse: deity (Shiva) standing facing, holding diadem and trident; behind, humped bull to l.; symbol to r.; border of dots.

Exhibition History

  • 32Q: 3440 Middle East, Harvard Art Museums, 11/16/2014 - 01/01/2050

Verification Level

This record has been reviewed by the curatorial staff but may be incomplete. Our records are frequently revised and enhanced. For more information please contact the Division of Asian and Mediterranean Art at am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu