Coin of Huvishka c. 111 - 129

Editor: Here we have a coin of Huvishka, made by Huvishka I. The craftsmanship is quite impressive, but I'm curious about its significance. What can you tell me about it? Curator: This coin isn't just currency; it's a statement of power and cultural identity. Consider the imagery: a ruler depicted with gods. It's about legitimizing power through divine association. What does that say about the social structure of the time? Editor: It suggests a hierarchical society where rulers sought to align themselves with divine authority. Curator: Precisely. And who gets to decide what that divinity looks like? Whose stories are told? Whose are left out? That’s the power of representation at play, even in something as small as a coin. Editor: So, it's about understanding the narratives the coin is trying to create and also the ones it's silencing. Thanks! Curator: Exactly. Examining the coin in this light helps us unpack the complex intersections of power, religion, and identity in Huvishka's time.