Ahin Posh: Coin of Kaniska

PAKISTAN, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Orakzai

This gold coin from Gandhara was excavated at Ahin Posh in Orakzai, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. It was minted during the Kushan period (circa 1st–3rd century). The coin has a diameter of 20 mm with an image of King Kaniska (reigned circa 129–160) on one side and the Buddha on the other. The rim of the coin is decorated with a bead pattern.
King Kaniska is famous in the history of Buddhism for convening the Fourth Buddhist Council. The king wears a crown and has strong facial features with a high nose, deep eyes, and a prominent beard. He stands with the feet apart and holds a staff in his left hand. The Bactrian inscription reads “King of Kings, Kaniska of Kushan” in Greek script.
The other side of the coin features an image of the Buddha with nimbus and aureole. The Buddha wears a robe that covers both shoulders and his right hand is in abhaya (fearlessness) mudra and his left hand holds the hem of his robe. A Bactrian inscription in Greek script meaning “Buddha” is located to the left of the Buddha image, and to the right is King Kaniska’s emblem.