The rare Victory type stands out among the dinars of Huvishka, precisely because it contradicts all that we know about the pacific reign of that Kushan king. Huvishka's father, Kanishka, was the great conqueror, adding most of northern India to his realm. The only campaign associated with Huvishka was the occupation of Kashmir, which may have taken place in the last years of his father's rule. Huvishka was a devout Buddhist, and most of the records of his time are concerned with his donations to monasteries, temples and foundations for helping the poor. He was not by any measure a warrior king. In the absence of a specific event that might have prompted the striking of the Victory type, we can only suggest that the Kushans may have adopted the type from Roman aurei that made their way eastward in the trade network that provided much of the wealth of the Kushan kingdom. Compare, for example, the aureus of Marcus Aurelius, RIC 193, struck 168 AD.
[Ancient] INDIA, Kushans. Huvishka I. Circa 152-192 AD. AV Dinar (7.91 g, 12h). Crowned and diademed bust left on clouds, flames over shoulders, holding mace sceptre and spear / Nike, nimbate, advancing right, holding palm and wreath; tamgha to left. MK 246 (same dies as example 1); Donum Burns -; MACW -; CNG 66, lot 967 (same dies). Among the rarest of Huvishka's gold dinars.
