Kushans, Huvishka, Gold Dinar, 7.87g, with Fire God Pharro, main Mint in Bactria (probably Balkh), early phase, Obv: Half length bust of Huvishka left, on clouds or mountain top, wearing heavy sideburns, round helmet with crest ornament, twin-pronged forehead ornament, crescent on side, and a jewelled rim, diadem with triangular tie and double ladder-like ribbons to right, and loose-fitting tunic with jewelled collar, flames emanating from right shoulder, club in right hand with extended index finger, sword hilt in left, Bactrian legend “ShAONANO ShAO OOEShKI KOShANO” around, Rev: God ‘Pharro’ standing facing, with nimbate head turned right, wearing helmet with forehead ornament, diadem with triangular tie and two ribbons to left, cloak around shoulders double-clasped at chest over calf-length tunic, and boots, grounded staff with knob finial in left hand, bag of coins in right palm at waist; Bactrian legend “PhARRO” to left and tamgha with crossbar in right field (Göbl 141/7). Very fine+, extremely rare.
‘Pharro’ is a ‘fire god’ and is found on Huvishka’s coins only. Pharro is linked with the Zoroastrian concept of kingly glory and splendour as ‘Khwarra’ or ‘Khwarenah’. He is regarded as the male counterpart of ‘Ardokhsho’. Pharro is also correlated with ‘Kubera’, and shown with a money bag in his hand.