It is said to have contained three bone fragments of the Buddha,[2] which were forwarded to Burma by the British following the excavation,[3] where they still remain.

The inscription reads: Originally it was believed, that the text is signed by the maker, a Greek artist named Agesilas, who oversaw work at Kanishka's stupas (caitya), confirming the direct involvement of Greeks with Buddhist realizations at such a late date: "The servant (dasa) Agisalaos, the superintendent of works at the vihara of Kanishka in the monastery of Mahasena" ("dasa agisala nava-karmi ana*kaniskasa vihara mahasenasa sangharame").

[7] The lid of the casket shows the Buddha on lotus pedestal, and worshipped by Indra and Brahma.

The edge of the lid is decorated by a frieze of flying geese, or hamsa, symbolizing the travel of departing souls and the removal from samsara.

On the sides are two images of a seated Buddha, worshiped a royal figures, possibly a bodhisattava.