1897.] 
V. A. Smith —Numismatic Notes and Novelties. 
301 
The rare Buddha coins of Kaniska have been fully discussed by Vou 
Sallet, and subsequently by Cunningham, and some of them are noticed 
by Gardner. 1 
“On a single gold coin of Kaniska,” writes Cunningham, “we 
have a representation of Buddha, under the name of BOAAO- The 
figure is standing with the right hand raised in the act of blessing. 
He is also represented in the same attitude on some rare copper 
coins with the title of CAKA MANO BOYAO, or Sakya Muni 
Buddha . 2 
On a few coins Buddha is represented sitting in native fashion on 
the ground, with his right hand raised in the act of teaching. I have 
referred to these coin figures because they are the earliest representations 
of Buddha that have yet been found. The sculptures at Bddh Gray a 
(B.C. 250) aud at Bharhut (B.C. 150) are remarkable for the absence 
of any figure of Buddha. His empty throne, his hair ( cuda ), his bowl, 
and his footprints, are frequently shown ; but I have not seen any Indian 
sculptured figure of Buddha himself prior to the time of Kaniska. The 
earliest figures are those found in Grandhara to the west of the Indus.” 
During his long career Cunningham succeeded in collecting only 
three of these coius of Kaniska with the seated Buddha, all large pieces, 
*95 of an inch in diameter. A fourth specimen of the same size is in 
Berlin. 
Small coins with the figure of Buddha, like those now published 
are quite unknown. Kadaphes lived about a generation earlier than 
Kaniska, and it is important for the history of Buddhist art to learn 
that the conventional representation of the seated Buddha was well 
established at a date appreciably earlier than that of Kaniska. I am 
inclined to doubt the theory that images of Buddha were not known 
until the first century A.D., and I shall not be surprised if some earlier 
examples come to light when the ruins of Kapilavastu are examined. 
IV. KUSANA(?) 
Small square copper coin, "4 in diameter, thickish. Wt. 19 gr. 
Obv. Vasa (or possibly Vasu ). 
P ? jpeca. 
Rev. Obscure. 
I do not see how to read the characters of the second line as deva. 
(Plate XXXVIII, fig. 6.) [Rawlins.] 
1 Von Sallet, “Die Nachfolger Alexanders des Grossen,” Berlin, 1879; pp. 
189 to 196, Taf. vi, 1. Cunningham, Nurn. Chron. for 1892, pp. 57, 80, PI. viii (xviiij. 
Gardner, B. M. Catal. PI. xxvi, 8 ; xxvii, 2 ; xxxii, 14. 
2 As read by Mr. Rapson, and probably correct. 
J. i. 39 
