Kanishka Buddha Coin
2nd century ・ gold ・ 2nd century ・ Kushan Empire
obverse
reverse
This coin features a standing Buddha on its reverse. The legend, in Greek letters, reads ΒΟΔΔΟ—Boddo, which means Buddha. It is one of the earliest examples of a coin to depict the image of Buddha, spelling his name in Greek letters. The Greek script, which had remained in the region since the time of Alexander the Great, was used to inscribe the name of a teaching born in India. Script, iconography, and faith, each from a different place, meet on this single piece of gold.