Lot 1040

Description

Kanishka I, (c.A.D. 232-260), gold stater or dinar, (7.97 grams), obv. king standing, head turned left, holding tall standard in left hand, sacrificing with right hand over cylindrical altar, flames (?) emanate from his coat, legend around, rev. Miiro (Mithra) nimbate and radiate, standing to left, wearing diaphanous dhoti and holding short sword, behind legend downwards MIIPO, (Gobl 56.6 [very similar dies], M.3061). Extremely fine and rare.

A very similar specimen in like condition was present in the Dr. Lawrence Brilliant Collection of Kushan gold, in the Spink-Taisei, Singapore sale 9 (lot 7) and one not as fine in the Pitchfork collection (our sale 48, lot 2341). Miiro is the solar goddess, the Mithra of the Irano-Aryan tradition. The obverse is the standard representation of Kanishka on his coinage. He boasts a long beard, wears a long-sleeved short coat, and a conical cap, a thin coat on top is blowing in the winds.