{"product_id":"rare-kushan-king-kanishka-i-copper-tetradrachm-lunar-god-mao-crescent-symbols-17-25g-c-127-151-ce","title":"Rare Kushan King Kanishka I Copper Tetradrachm – Lunar God Mao \u0026 Crescent Symbols – 17.25g – c. 127–151 CE","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAncient Kushan Empire – Kanishka I\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCopper Tetradrachm | Lunar Deity Mao Type | 17.25 g | MAC #3161\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA remarkable \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003elarge copper tetradrachm of Kanishka I\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, one of the greatest rulers of the Kushan Empire. This substantial \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e17.25-gram\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e coin is particularly notable for its depiction of \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMao, the lunar deity\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, with distinctive crescent symbols on his shoulders.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe coin beautifully demonstrates the extraordinary religious and cultural diversity of Kushan imperial coinage, combining the royal imagery of Kanishka with an Iranian\/Central Asian lunar deity and Bactrian inscriptions.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eObverse\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe obverse depicts the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003ecrowned and diademed King Kanishka standing facing\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, holding a spear and performing a ritual sacrifice over a small \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003efire altar\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e positioned to his left.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBactrian legend\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e surrounds the royal figure.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe representation of Kanishka performing a sacrifice emphasizes the ceremonial and religious role of the Kushan emperor and is a characteristic feature of his coinage.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eReverse\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe reverse depicts \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMao\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, the lunar deity, standing facing left.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMao is shown holding the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003ehilt of a sword\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e while extending his other hand in a gesture of blessing.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe deity is distinguished by:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCrescent moons on both shoulders\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eBactrian legend \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e“Mao”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e to the right\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eKushan tamgha\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e to the left\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCharacteristic divine attributes\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe crescent symbols are an especially striking feature, clearly reinforcing Mao’s identity as a lunar deity.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCoin Details\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEmpire:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Kushan Empire\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRuler:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Kanishka I\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePeriod:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e c. 127–151 CE\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCentury:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 2nd Century CE\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDenomination:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Copper Tetradrachm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMetal:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Copper\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWeight:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 17.25 g\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDiameter:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 26.06 mm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCondition:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e About Very Fine\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eObverse:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Kanishka standing with spear and sacrificing at altar\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eReverse:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Lunar deity Mao standing left\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eReverse Legend:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e “Mao” in Bactrian\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eScript:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Bactrian\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSymbol:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Kushan Tamgha\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eReference:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e MAC #3161\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHistorical Background\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eKanishka I\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e was among the most powerful rulers of the Kushan Empire, which at its height connected extensive territories across \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCentral Asia, Afghanistan, Pakistan and northern India\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHis reign is particularly famous for the cosmopolitan character of Kushan culture. The empire occupied a crucial position along ancient trade routes connecting India with Central Asia and the Silk Road, resulting in an extraordinary exchange of artistic, religious and cultural traditions.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eKanishka’s coinage vividly reflects this environment. His coins depict deities belonging to different religious traditions, including Indian, Iranian, Greek and Central Asian divinities.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMao – The Lunar Deity\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMao\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e was a lunar deity associated with the Iranian religious tradition.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHis representation on Kanishka’s coinage is especially distinctive because of the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003ecrescent moons placed on his shoulders\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e. The sword and blessing gesture further enhance his divine character.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Bactrian inscription \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e“Mao”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e provides a direct identification of the deity and demonstrates the continued importance of the Bactrian language and Iranian cultural traditions within the Kushan Empire.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eReligious \u0026amp; Cultural Significance\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis coin is an excellent illustration of \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eKushan religious syncretism\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eKanishka:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e The powerful emperor performing a ritual sacrifice.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMao:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e The lunar deity representing an Iranian\/Central Asian religious tradition.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBactrian Script:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Reflects the Central Asian cultural environment of the Kushan Empire.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eKushan Tamgha:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Represents the imperial authority of the Kushan dynasty.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe combination of these elements makes the coin a fascinating historical document of the multicultural world of \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e2nd-century Central and South Asia\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWhy This Coin Is Special\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eLarge \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e17.25 g copper tetradrachm\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eIssued under \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eKanishka I\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eDistinctive \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMao lunar deity\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e type\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCrescent moons clearly represented on Mao’s shoulders\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBactrian inscription naming Mao\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eKushan tamgha\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRoyal sacrifice scene on the obverse\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eStrong representation of Kushan religious diversity\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eApproximately \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e1,850–1,900 years old\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCollector’s Appeal\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAn excellent addition to collections specialising in:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eKanishka I Coins\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eKushan Empire Coinage\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eKushan Copper Tetradrachms\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAncient Indian Coins\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMao \/ Lunar Deity Coins\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBactrian Script Coins\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAncient Iranian Coinage\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCentral Asian Numismatics\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eKushan Religious Coinage\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSilk Road Coinage\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003e2nd Century CE Ancient Coins\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAge of Coin:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Approximately \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e1,875–1,900 years old\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA substantial and highly interesting \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eKanishka I copper tetradrachm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, featuring the emperor’s ritual sacrifice on the obverse and the striking \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003elunar deity Mao with crescent moons on his shoulders\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e on the reverse. A superb representation of the extraordinary religious and cultural diversity of the Kushan Empire.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Gupta Coins","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48472310448340,"sku":"A00041","price":1999.0,"currency_code":"INR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0840\/5028\/0660\/files\/Picsart_26-08-09_20-20-19-661-Photoroom_1.jpg?v=1786618074","url":"https:\/\/guptacoins.com\/products\/rare-kushan-king-kanishka-i-copper-tetradrachm-lunar-god-mao-crescent-symbols-17-25g-c-127-151-ce","provider":"Gupta Coins","version":"1.0","type":"link"}