Cross-legged King seated on decorative clouds, PAONANA PAO OOhpKE NOPANO / Nimbate Sun-God Mithra (Mihira) standing left, MIIPO (or similar, only partially seen) in the right field, tamgha in the left field.  26mm, 13.39 grams. 26mm, 13.39 grams. Mint of Balkh. Mitchiner ACW #3246-3248. SKU T1335-50827

Mithra or Mitra is a divinity of Indic culture, whose function changed with time. In the late Vedic texts and the Brahmanas, Mitra is increasingly associated with the light of dawn and the morning sun (while Varuna becomes associated with the evening, and ultimately the night). In the post-Vedic texts Mitra evolved into the patron divinity of friendship, and because he is "friend", abhors all violence, even when sacred.

Huvishka was the emperor of the Kushan Empire from about 150 CE until the succession of Vasudeva I about thirty years later. His rule was a period of consolidation for the Empire. Huvishka's territory encompassed Balkh in Bactria to Mathura in India, locations were it is known that he minted his coinage. His reign seems to have been essentially peaceful, consolidating Kushan power in northern India, and moving the center of the Kushan Empire to the southern capital city of Mathura.