302-309 AD., Kushano-Sassanian, Hormizd II., Æ Drachm, Göbl, Kushan 1091.

Kushano-Sassanian, Hormizd II.,
Æ Drachm (13-14 mm / 2.12 g), 302-309 AD.,
Obv.: bearded and crowned bust r., winged headdress with segmented ball, ball of hair behind, Pahlavi legend.
Rev.: fire altar with bust of god (Ahura Mazda, Mithra ?) arising from it, holding wreath and trident, Pahlavi legend.
Göbl, Kushan 1091 .

Western Kushans were dominated by the Sassanians and issued coins in Sassanian style bearing the name of the Sassanian kings. The Sasanid empire was large and powerful, and exercised some of its control through vassal states in Bactria and Gandhara, often referred to as Kushanshahs (kings or kingdoms of Kushan). They were allowed their own coinage under Sasanid patronage. On the reverse, there is a deitiy emerging from the flames of the fire altar. This is reminiscent of the Sasanid drachms, which show Ahura Mazda in the flames, but in this case the figure seems to be leaning on a staff or maybe emerging with its aid. It is possible that this might represent Mithra. The fire altar is an important symbol. It represents the enduring energy of the creator Ahura Mazda.