★ The inseparable couple Shiva and Nandi ★

INDIA, Post-Mauryan (Malwa). Ujjain. AE (Bronze, 16x19 mm, 7.26 g), circa 2nd century BC. Lord Shiva as Mahakal standing facing on the right; on the left, the bull Nandi, his companion, standing to right; between them, tree in railing; in upper field to left, Indra-Dhvaja; below, river with fish. Rev. Four-orbed Ujjain symbol with a taurine in each angle. cf. Pieper 321-322 (without Indra-Dhavaja). Very rare. Minor corrosion spots, otherwise, very fine.

From a collection of coins from Central Asia.

This large and heavy issue shows the inseparable couple Shiva and Nandi, as well as the sacred Bodhi tree under which Buddha attained enlightenment.