He was the Kushan emperor to first introduce gold coinage, in addition to the existing copper and silver coinage. Most of the gold seems to have been obtained through trade with the
Roman Empire. The gold weight standard of approximately eight grams corresponds to that of Roman coins of the 1st century. Gold bullion from Rome would be melted and used for the Kushan mints, into three denominations: the double stater, the stater, and the quarter starter (or dinara). The usage of gold testifies to the prosperity of the Kushan Empire from the time of Vima, being the center of trade between the
Han dynasty of
China (where Vima was known as 阎膏珍),
Central Asia and
Alexandria and
Antioch in the West. The Kushan were able to maintain and protect the
Silk Road, allowing
silk,
spices,
textiles or
medicine to move between China, India and the West. In particular, many goods were sent by ship to the Roman empire, creating a return flow of gold coins, Greek wine and slaves. Works of arts were also imported from all directions , as indicated by the variety and quality of the artefacts found in the Kushan summer capital of
Bagram in Afghanistan. A strong artistic syncretism was stimulated, as indicated by the
Greco-Buddhist art of
Gandhara. Roman history relates the visit of ambassadors from the Indian kings to the court of
Trajan (98–117 CE), bearing presents and letters in Greek, which were sent either by Vima Kadphises or his son Kanishka. Most of Vima's coins feature the Buddhist symbol of the
Triratana on the reverse (or possibly Shiva's symbol for
Nandi, the Nandipada), together with
Hindu representations of
Shiva, with or without his bull. Often time, a
Trishul is depicted along with
Shiva. ==Coin types==