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Research Coins: Electronic Auction

 

Two Extremely Rare Late Hephtalite Drachms

250, Lot: 197. Estimate $100.
Sold for $1600. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

HUNNIC TRIBES, Hephthalites. Circa AD 682-692 . AR Drachm (32mm, 3.14 g, 3h). Imitating Bishapur (BYS) mint . Date unclear. Crowned Sassanian style bust right; Sogdian tamgha in outer margin; c/m: Sogdian inscription / Fire altar with ribbons and attendants; star and crescent flanking flames; date to left, mint name to right. Göbl, Dokumente -; cf. Classical Numismatics Group 60 (22 May 2002), lot 1095 (different date and mint, no tamgha). For c/m: Göbl, Dokumente KM 79. VF, rough. Extremely Rare.


This coin imitates an issue struck after the deposition of bin Ziyad; his type was maintained during the period of warfare between the Zubayrids, Umayyads, and Hephthalites. Interestingly, this piece lacks any Islamic legends, particularly the bismillah, included on the coins listed in Walker. This portion was omitted because the strike is Hunnic, and the Islamic portion of the type is intentionally left out.