Classical Numismatic Group, LLC
Triton XXV 11-12 Jan 2022
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INDIA, Kushan Empire. Huvishka. Circa AD 151-190. AV Dinar (20.5mm, 8.01 g, 12h). Main mint in Baktria (Balkh?). Late phase. [ÞAON]ANOÞAO O OhÞ[KI KOÞANO], nimbate, diademed, and crowned half-length bust of Huvishka facing on clouds, head left, holding mace-scepter in right hand, filleted spear in left over shoulder / PIÞ(retrograde τ)O to left, Minerva/Roma(?) in Attic-style helmet and laminated cuirass standing right, holding spear in right hand and round shield set on ground with left; tamgha to right. MK 288/1 (O1/R1) = J.M. Rosenfeld, The Dynastic Arts of the Kushans 184 (same rev. die); ANS Kushan –; Donum Burns –. Toned, obverse struck with worn die. Good VF. Extremely rare, only one example cited by Göbl.
From the Archytas Collection. Ex Triton XIII (5 January 2010), lot 274.
The identity of the deity on the reverse of this coin is unclear, because the depiction and the legend do not seem consistent. The reading of the name itself is a matter of speculation. If the reading of Rishno/Rishmo is correct, the legend might refer to Rasnu, the personification of righteousness and an attendant of Mithra. Rasnu, however, is a male and equated with the Hindu god, Karttikeya. Clearly this coin depicts a female who is similar to the figure of Athena depicted on earlier Baktrian issues of Demetrios II and who was known in the Roman world as Minerva. In all other cases in the coinage of Huvishka, the legend identifies the deity depicted, so here we are left with a question as to which deity is intended. Whoever it is, this one issue, known from just two coins, is the only occurrence of the deity in the Kushan series.
From the Archytas Collection. Ex Triton XIII (5 January 2010), lot 274.
The identity of the deity on the reverse of this coin is unclear, because the depiction and the legend do not seem consistent. The reading of the name itself is a matter of speculation. If the reading of Rishno/Rishmo is correct, the legend might refer to Rasnu, the personification of righteousness and an attendant of Mithra. Rasnu, however, is a male and equated with the Hindu god, Karttikeya. Clearly this coin depicts a female who is similar to the figure of Athena depicted on earlier Baktrian issues of Demetrios II and who was known in the Roman world as Minerva. In all other cases in the coinage of Huvishka, the legend identifies the deity depicted, so here we are left with a question as to which deity is intended. Whoever it is, this one issue, known from just two coins, is the only occurrence of the deity in the Kushan series.