KUSHAN EMPIRE, Vima Khadphises, 95-130AD (conjectural) gold stater, (Gobl. 19) £400
Most of what is known about the Kushan Empire is deduced through studying its coinage. They ruled an area covering Afghanistan, North Pakistan, parts of India, Uzbekistan and Tadjikistan. Vima Kadhphises was the first ruler and conquered the area. He was a Zoroastrian (fire-worshipper) and set up an empire that was tolerant of all religions.

An island that trades has special problems since the coinage tends to be exported. In order to facilitate trade, countries reused existing coinage, simply by countermarking it with a punch. This is what’s happened with the above two coins: