HUNNIC TRIBES, Alchon Huns. Mihirakula, circa 515-540. Drachm (Silver, 24 mm, 2.50 g, 9 h). 'JAYATU MIHIRAKULA' ('Mihirakula shall be victorious' in Brahmi) Bust of Mihirakula with elongated skull to right, wearing moustache and diadem surmounted by a small crescent; below, winged or floral element; to left, standard; to right, thunderbolt. Rev. Fire altar with two attendants. Göbl 310. Vondrovec, Type 310. Very rare. Somewhat crystallized, otherwise, good fine.


Mihirakula, the son of Toramana, is known to have retired to Kashmir after suffering a defeat at the hands of Narsimha Gupta in the mid-6th century AD. This example has the king's name on the obverse, which is of Iranian origin and likely translates as 'Mithra's Begotten'. To German readers of the popular Asterix comics, Mihirakula may sound surprisingly familiar: it is very similar to that of the Gallic druid Miraculix (Panoramix in French and Getafix in English), whose name, however, derives from the Latin word miraculum (miracle).