Kushan Empire: Vasu Deva I, circa 191-230 AD, AV Gold dinar (8.04 g). Mint: Gandhara or Baktria. Obv: helmeted, and diademed king (Vasudeva) standing, holding trident & sacrificing over altar / Rev: Siva (Shiva) & the bull Nandi, his companion, standing left, with three-headed? Siva holding diadem & trident, tamgha to upper left, Oesho (Shiva) to right. Early period of Vasu Deva's reign, without the second trident above the altar. Gobl 519. Brilliant & Lustrous UNC-MS. Marvelous Example. Very Rare in this Bold Mint State Condition.

*Vusadeva I was the last great Kushan emperor, and the end of his rule coincides with the invasion of the Sassanians as far as northwestern India, and the establishment of the Indo-Sassanians or Kushanshahs from around 240 CE. Vasudeva I may have lost the territory of Bactria with its capital in Balkh to Ardashir I Kushanshah. Thereafter, Kushan rule would be restricted to their eastern territories, in western and central Punjab. The relatively peaceful reign of Vasudeva is marked by an important artistic production, in particular in statuary. Several Buddhist statues are dated to the reign of Vasudeva, and are important markers for the chronology of Buddhist art.