INDIA, Kushan Empire. Kanishka I. Circa AD 127-151. AV Dinar (20mm, 8.00 g, 12h). Main mint in Baktria (Balkh?). Late phase.

Triton XXV
Lot: 592. Estimated: $ 10 000

The Archytas Collection, Coin-in-Hand Video, Gold

Sold For $ 28 000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

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INDIA, Kushan Empire. Kanishka I. Circa AD 127-151. AV Dinar (20mm, 8.00 g, 12h). Main mint in Baktria (Balkh?). Late phase. ÞAONANOÞAO KA NhÞKI KOÞANO, Kanishka, diademed and crowned, standing facing, head left, holding goad and scepter, sacrificing over altar to left; flame at shoulder / ΛPOOACΠO to right, Lrooaspo, diademed and bearded, standing right, holding diadem in raised right hand; behind, caparisoned horse standing right with left foreleg raised; tamgha to left. MK 57/1 (O8/R1); ANS Kushan –; Donum Burns 127; Triton XXIII, lot 553 = CNG 103, lot 473 = Triton XIII, lot 271 = Triton XII, lot 425 (same dies); Triton XXII, lot 472 (same dies); CNG 100, lot 1661 (same dies). Slight double strike on obverse, hint of die rust. Near EF. Extremely rare, Göbl cites four examples (including the Donum Burns coin), four in CoinArchives.

From the Archytas Collection.

Who the god Lrooaspo was is a matter of conjecture. One possibility is that he was an adaptation of Drvaspa, an Avestan deity, who was the guardian of the health of beasts. Another possibility is that he is a representation of the Mithraic deity Apam Napat, “the grandson of the waters,” and associated with Neptune. According to the Avesta, Apam Napat possesses the epithet Aurvat-aspa, or “possessing swift horse” (Yašt 19.51). Associated with both Mithra and Drvaspa, he is concerned with the preservation of Khavaeno, or legitimate princely authority, perhaps accounted for by the presentation of the diadem in his depiction on this coin.

The final winners of all Triton XXV lots will be determined at the live public sale that will be held on 11-12 January 2022. Triton XXV – Session Two – Greek Coinage (Part 2) through Roman Provincial Coinage will be held Tuesday afternoon, 11 January 2022 beginning at 2:00 PM ET.

Winning bids are subject to a 20% buyer's fee for bids placed on this website and 22.50% for all others.

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