Triton XVIII, Lot: 853. Estimate $3000. Sold for $4000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

INDIA, Kushan Empire. Huvishka. Circa AD 152-192. AV Dinar (21mm, 7.87 g, 12h). Mint I (A). 3rd emission. ÞαO(retrograde h)α(retrograde h)OÞαO OO hÞKI KOÞα(retrograde h)O, crowned bust left on clouds / Oα(retrograde h)I(retrograde h)Δα (sic), Winged Oanindo (Nike-Victory) standing left, holding wreath and scepter; tamgha to right. MK 243 (O1/R2) = Cribb & Bracey E.G1v = FdS 218 = BM inv. 1879, 0501.18 (same dies); Donum Burns –; CNG 64, lot 556 (same dies). Good VF, very slight traces of prior bezel on edges, a couple tiny edge bumps. Extremely rare, the second to appear at auction.

The figure of Oanindo is patterned on the Classical Nike, a type that was well-known to the inhabitants of the region. The name may derive from the Avestan Vanainti, a star and goddess associated with Verethragna (Varahran), the god who appears on Kushan coinage as Orlagno.