Kushan, Huvishka, Gold Dinar, 7.89g, struck at main mint in Gandhara, late phase, Obv: Nimbate, diademed, and crowned half-length bust of Huvishka, facing left, emanating from clouds, holding mace in right hand and filleted spear over left shoulder, Bactrian legend “…NANOShAO OOEShKI KO…” around, Rev: male God “Athsho” standing right, with flames coming over head and shoulders, holding blacksmith’s hammer over right shoulder and pair of tongs in left hand, tamgha to right and Bactrian legend “AThShO” to left (Göbl# 230, Donum Burns 252). Very fine+, exceedingly rare. The god Athsho (also called Athosho) derives from the Zoroastrian deity Atar, the son of Ahura Mazda and the personification of the holy fire. He is associated with Aša-Vahišta, the personification of truth or righteousness. He was a god of metals and also responsible for allowing entry of souls into the heavens. The blacksmith’s hammer and tongs were used as tools for igniting the holy fire (Vendidad XIV.7), thus associating them also with Athsho.