Choice Manaobago Dinar
INDIA, Kushan Empire. Huvishka. Circa AD 151-190. AV Dinar (20mm, 7.89 g, 12h). Main mint in Baktria (Balkh?). Early phase. ÞAONANOÞAO OOhÞKI KOÞA[NO], diademed and crowned half-length bust left on clouds, holding mace-scepter and goad / MANAOBA ΓO, Manaobago, nimbate and helmeted, with lunar horns at shoulders, seated facing on raised stool, cushioned and with curving legs, feet on footstool, head right and with four arms: lower right on hip, upper right holding coins or fruit, upper left holding mace-scepter, and lower left holding torque; tamgha to right. MK 151 (O17/R4); ANS Kushan 715; Donum Burns 229. Choice EF, hint of deposits in obverse legend.
Of all the divinities that appear on Kushan gold coins, that of Manaobago is most difficult to connect to religious and literary sources. The presence of the mace-scepter and the torque suggest a royal association, while the bag of coins represents wealth or prosperity. If he is related to the Avestan god Vohu Manah, who personified “Good Mind”, then Manaobago would represent a wisdom and understanding the results in just and effective rule and the wealth and prosperity that derives from it.
