Lot 58

Ancient, Post Kushan, Gandhara, Kidara Shahis, Tujina (c. 7th Century AD), Base Gold Dinar, 7.48 gms, 20.84 mm, Obverse: Standing King dressed in Kushana style robes, sacrificing at fire altar to his right, a trident at his left, Late Brahmi legend ‘Shri Tujina’ between 11 and 9 O clock position, Reverse: Enthroned deity Lakshmi holding a lotus in each hand, Late Brahmi legend ‘Jaya’ at 3 O clock position, An enigmatic coin from Gandhara region with a very elegant depiction of Goddess Lakshmi. A very small hoard of these coins were discovered in Kashmir, Kidara Shah was the founder of the Kidarite (Kidara Shahi) dynasty and ruled parts of Gandhara, Kabul, and northwest India in the early–mid 4th century CE (c. 320–350 CE), following the decline of the Kushans. Tujina (also called Tugina/Tukhina), identified with the lower Gandhara region around Taxila, was his main political center and mint, frequently named on his coins, which imitate late Kushan and Sasanian styles and represent a transitional phase between Kushan rule and the rise of later Hunnic powers in the region Joe Cribb # Numismatic Digest Vol 40, about extremely fine, extremely rare.