This coin offers a remarkable glimpse into the religious diversity and cultural connections of the Kushan Empire. Specialist references classify the Nana quarter-unit within the Göbl/MAC series.
Obverse:
The crowned and diademed King Kanishka stands facing, holding a spear and performing a ritual sacrifice over a small altar positioned to his left. A Bactrian legend identifying the king surrounds the figure.
Reverse:
Goddess Nana stands facing right with a nimbus around her head. She holds a bowl and the protome of an animal, while the Bactrian legend “NANA” appears at the left and the Kushan tamgha at the right.
Coin Details:
Ruler: Kanishka I
Dynasty: Kushan Empire
Reign: c. 127–150 CE
Period: 2nd Century CE
Denomination: Copper ¼ Unit / AE Drachm
Metal: Copper
Weight: 3.80 g
Diameter: 17.94 mm
Condition: About Fine
Obverse: Kanishka sacrificing at altar
Reverse: Goddess Nana standing right
Legend: “NANA” in Bactrian
Script: Bactrian
Symbol: Kushan Tamgha
Reference: MAC 3166–6137
Age: Approximately 1,875–1,900 years old
Historical Background:
Kanishka I ruled one of the most powerful empires of ancient Central and South Asia. The Kushan Empire connected territories across Central Asia, Afghanistan, Pakistan and northern India, while major trade routes linked the empire with the wider ancient world.
Kanishka’s coinage is particularly famous for its extraordinary variety of religious imagery. Deities belonging to Indian, Iranian, Central Asian and Hellenistic traditions appear on his coins, reflecting the cosmopolitan character of the Kushan Empire.
Goddess Nana:
Nana was an important goddess in the ancient Iranian and Central Asian religious sphere. Her appearance on Kushan coinage demonstrates the strong cultural interaction between the Kushan world and Iranian traditions.
Her nimbus, bowl and animal protome are characteristic elements of her representation, while the explicit Bactrian “NANA” legend provides a clear identification of the deity.
Numismatic Significance:
This small copper denomination combines Kushan imperial authority, Bactrian writing and Central Asian religious iconography. The contrast between Kanishka’s royal sacrifice and the divine figure of Nana makes the coin an excellent example of the multicultural nature of Kushan coinage.
Collector’s Appeal:
An excellent addition to collections specialising in Kanishka I, Kushan Empire coinage, Goddess Nana, ancient copper coins, Bactrian-script coins, Central Asian religious coinage and 2nd-century CE Indian and Central Asian numismatics.
A remarkable 1,875+ year-old Kushan coin, preserving the image of one of the empire’s greatest rulers alongside Goddess Nana, a fascinating testament to the religious and cultural diversity of the ancient Kushan world.
