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coin
Object Type
coin
Museum number
1979,0215.38
Description
Copper alloy coin.
(whole)
King seated cross-legged on a cushion to front, head turned to left, right arm raised. Part of a Bactrian inscription.
(obverse)
Extremely worn image of sun god Mioro or moon god Mao standing to front, head turned to left, right arm raised. Legend and tamgha no longer visible.
(reverse)
Authority
Ruler:
Huvishka
Cultures/periods
Kushan
Production date
150-190
(circa)
Production place
Minted in:
Afghanistan
Excavator/field collector
Excavated by:
Charles Masson
Findspot
Excavated/Findspot:
Chahar Bagh Stupa 4
Materials
copper alloy
Dimensions
Diameter:
25 millimetres
Weight:
15.01 grammes
$Inscriptions
Curator's comments
For other coins from the same relic deposit, see 1979,0215.21-36, 39-41, IOC.298 and IOLC.2665; for relic casket, see 1880-95. For a discussion of the identification of the findspot of these coins as Chahar Bagh Stupa 4, see 1979,0215.21.
Bibliographic references
Masson MSS Eur. E161/VII
(f.18)
Wilson 1841 / Ariana Antiqua. A Descriptive Account of the Antiquities and Coins of Afghanistan
(p.103)
India Museum Inventory 1880 / India Museum. Inventory of the Collection of Examples of Indian Art and Manufactures transferred to the South Kensington Museum
(p.27, no.1052)
Cribb & Bracey 2011 / Kushan Coins Catalogue
(E.C1-i)
Errington 2017a / Charles Masson and the Buddhist Sites of Afghanistan: Explorations, Excavations, Collections 1832-1835
(p.147, fig.215.19, p.148, p.219)
Location
Not on display
Subjects
ruler
deity
Associated names
Named in inscription & portrayed:
Huvishka
Representation of:
Mithra/Mithras
(or)
Portrait of:
Mao
Acquisition name
Transferred from:
India Museum
Acquisition date
1880
Department
Money and Medals
Registration number
1979,0215.38
Additional IDs
Miscellaneous number:
1052
(South Kensington Museum no.)
Miscellaneous number:
3
(India Museum no.)
Miscellaneous number:
HSBC.871
(Money Gallery Exhibited)
Conservation
Treatment
: 17 Oct 1996