Classical Numismatic Group, LLC
Auction 117 19-20 May 2021
View prices realized
► Sale information
Find similar lots
INDIA, Kushan Empire. Huvishka. Circa AD 151-190. AV Dinar (20mm, 7.93 g, 12h). Main mint in Baktria (Balkh?). Early phase. ÞAO(retrograde h)A(retrograde h)OÞAO O OhÞKI KOÞA(retrograde h)O, diademed, and crowned half-length bust left on clouds, holding mace-scepter and goad / MααCh(retrograde h)O, Maaseno, nimbate and crowned, standing facing, holding bird-tipped and filleted scepter in right hand, left hand on hilt of sword; tamgha to left. MK 298 (O31/R2); ANS Kushan 709; Donum Burns 271. Lightly toned, slight double strike on obverse, hint of deposits on reverse. EF. Very rare.
From the Archytas Collection.
Maaseno was the Kushan incarnation of the Hindu god Karttikeya, or Skanda, whose epithet was Mahasena. A particularly important deity to Yaudheyas, with his cult center at the Yaudheya capital of Rohitaka, it is highly probable that he entered the Kushan pantheon as a result of Kushan expansion into the territory of the Yaudheyas.
From the Archytas Collection.
Maaseno was the Kushan incarnation of the Hindu god Karttikeya, or Skanda, whose epithet was Mahasena. A particularly important deity to Yaudheyas, with his cult center at the Yaudheya capital of Rohitaka, it is highly probable that he entered the Kushan pantheon as a result of Kushan expansion into the territory of the Yaudheyas.