{"product_id":"scarce-kanishka-i-copper-unit-kushan-empire-lunar-deity-mao-crescent-symbols-3-90g-c-128-150-ce-1-875-years-old","title":"Scarce Kanishka I Copper ¼ Unit – Kushan Empire – Lunar Deity Mao \u0026 Crescent Symbols – 3.90g – c. 128–150 CE – 1,875+ Years Old","description":"\u003cp\u003eAncient Kushan Empire – Kanishka I\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCopper ¼ Unit | Lunar Deity Mao Type | MAC #3161 | 3.90 g\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA fascinating \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003ecopper ¼ unit of Kanishka I\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, one of the greatest rulers of the Kushan Empire, dating to approximately \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003ec. 128–150 CE\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e. This small denomination is particularly interesting 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 type is catalogued as \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMAC #3161\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e and is described in specialist numismatic references as a scarce quarter-unit issue.\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\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 \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003espear\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e and performing a ritual offering 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, identifying the Kushan ruler.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe depiction of Kanishka performing a sacrifice is a characteristic feature of his coinage and represents the emperor in an important ceremonial and religious role.\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, the lunar deity\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, standing facing left.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMao is shown:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eHolding the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003ehilt of a sword\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eExtending his other hand in a \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003egesture of blessing\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eWith distinctive \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003elunar crescents on his shoulders\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eWith the Bactrian 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\u003eWith the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eKushan tamgha\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e to the left\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe crescent symbols are an especially interesting feature, immediately identifying Mao’s association with the moon. The MAC 3161 type is specifically described with Mao standing left, lunar crescents on the shoulders and the MAO legend.\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\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. 128–150 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 ¼ Unit\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 3.90 g\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDiameter:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 16.44 mm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCondition:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e About Fine\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eObverse:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Kanishka standing, holding 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\u003eSymbols:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Lunar crescents and Kushan tamgha\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\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 one of the most powerful rulers of the Kushan Empire, which connected large parts of \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\u003eThe Kushan Empire occupied a crucial position along the ancient trade routes linking India with Central Asia and the Silk Road. This cosmopolitan environment is reflected particularly well in Kanishka’s coinage, which portrays deities from diverse religious traditions.\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 an important lunar deity of the Iranian religious tradition. His appearance on Kushan coinage illustrates the strong Central Asian and Iranian cultural influences present within the empire.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003ecrescent symbols on his shoulders\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e are a distinctive visual representation of his lunar character, while the Bactrian \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e“MAO”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e legend provides his direct identification.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNumismatic Significance\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis coin is particularly attractive because it combines several important elements of Kushan imperial coinage:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eKanishka I\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e – one of the empire’s greatest rulers\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRoyal Sacrifice\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e – demonstrating imperial religious authority\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMao\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e – an Iranian lunar deity\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBactrian Legend\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e – reflecting the Central Asian cultural environment\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eKushan Tamgha\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e – identifying the imperial authority\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSpecialist cataloguing identifies this as \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMAC 3161\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, while other numismatic references classify it as an \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAE drachm \/ ¼ unit\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\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 Coins\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 Religious Coinage\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eKushan Religious Coinage\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAncient Central Asian Coins\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003e2nd Century CE Coinage\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 \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003escarce Kanishka I copper quarter-unit\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e featuring the striking \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003elunar deity Mao with crescent symbols\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, offering collectors a fascinating glimpse into the multicultural religious world of the Kushan Empire nearly two millennia ago.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Gupta Coins","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48472338202836,"sku":"A00037","price":2499.0,"currency_code":"INR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0840\/5028\/0660\/files\/Picsart_26-08-09_20-17-16-291-Photoroom_1.jpg?v=1786618070","url":"https:\/\/guptacoins.com\/products\/scarce-kanishka-i-copper-unit-kushan-empire-lunar-deity-mao-crescent-symbols-3-90g-c-128-150-ce-1-875-years-old","provider":"Gupta Coins","version":"1.0","type":"link"}