Kanishka I – Kushan Empire – AE Tetradrachm with Four-armed Oesho (Shiva)

Kushan Empire, Kanishka I, (r. c. 127–150 CE), Denomination: AE Tetradrachm, Composition: Copper, Weight: 16.20 grams, Diameter: 25.97 mm, References: Göbl 781, MAC 3098, About Very Fine, Very Scarce.

Obverse: King Kanishka standing facing, sacrificing at altar to left, holding sceptre in left hand; Bactrian legend around: “þAO KANIþKI” (Shao Kanishki)

Reverse: Four-armed Oesho (Shiva) standing left, holding attributes, Bactrian legend “OηþO” at right, Kushan tamgha at left

Kanishka I was the greatest ruler of the Kushan Empire, under whom the empire reached its political, economic, and cultural zenith. His dominions extended from Central Asia through Gandhara and Kashmir into northern India, making the Kushans a vital link in trans-Eurasian trade along the Silk Route. While Kanishka is widely celebrated for his patronage of Mahayana Buddhism, his coinage presents a striking picture of religious pluralism.