The Nezak huns succeed the hepthalites as rulers of a region comprizing greater Afghanistan. They were contemporaries of the later Sassanians.
The coins of Napki Malka are found in quite large quantities in the Kabul area.
Characteristic is the winged crown of the ruler with a bull's head on top of it.
The reverse shows a fire altar with stylized attendants and eight spoked wheels above.
Coin 1: AE 25 mm 3.7 gr.
I modified this post to include a second type. At a certain point in time Nezak rule in Bactria and Ganghara was replaced by Turko-Hephthalite invaders. They continued issuing the "Napki Malka"type of coins. However the Dynastic symbol of the bull crown was replaced by a spikey crown. Coin 2: AR 28 mm 2,75 gr
A very attractive coin 8)
Hi
I think Hun coins are fascinating, especially the differences in portraiture on them. As a result I've accumulated a couple of dozen of them, and I attach the most recent couple of Napki Malka, both Gobl 200, probably Kapisa mint, 3.28, 26 mm and 3.7 gm, 27 mm respectively.
The first one shows signs of the silver coating but the other one appears to be just bronze.
The nicest Hun piece I have is a Kidarite one, of 'King C' ['Buddhatala', 'Buddhamitra' ?], c.388-400 AD, Gobl 18, 3.68 gm, 30 mm, probably struck in the Swat valley.
I recently found a book, Vol.III of a UNESCO publication, 'History of Civilizations of Central Asia', which seems to give fairly precise identifications of the various Hun rulers, with dates, but I haven't had a chance to more than dip into it yet.
Alan
Thanks for the comment and additions !
The "Huns" seem a rather "grey" area in history between several well defined cultures. I never had a good reference book. From the information i did gather it has become clear that there is slowly coming some structure in the recorded history of the different hun societies. This has for example placed the Napki Malka types later in time than previously thought.
I posted this coin also because i thought the subject was a bit neglected on the forum. I have some more, but this i thought was the nicest and most representative example. With these added ones we have increased the zero coins shown on the forum to four !
Great stuff, gentlemen. Indeed, if ever confronted with such a coin, I would have thought "Sassanian" first. I am intrigued by what seems to be a deformation in the centre of the "Hun 19" coin. Not sure if it is concave or convex and wondering why there is no corresponding deformation on the other side. Maybe this coin was at some time used as jewellery?
In general, the history of the 6th to 8th century is under-researched everywhere. What you usually get is generalities on nomadic conquests and not much more.* Coins may be the best way to piece together some first basic history.
Peter
* UK historians are at last converging around the conclusion that Arthur and Mordred never existed and are at best multiple personalities.
Hi Peter
Hun coins are of course mainly based on Sasanian originals and form part of a whole spectrum from the Sasanian through the Hun issues and the Gurjara-Pratihara issues in India to the gadhia pice of the 14th century. A new book arrived last week and has had to go on the 'to read' pile: 'Imitations in Continuity: Tracking The Silver Coinage of Early Medieval India' by K.K. Maheshwari. This traces the development from the late Hun issues in India through the Gurjara-Pratiharas to the gadhia pice.
The indentation on the Kidarite piece is where the metal has been 'sucked up' into the higher relief of the obverse. If you rotate the reverse 90 degrees clockwise you can even see the king's nose!
The UNESCO book I mentioned has mined fairly deeply into Chinese records and correlated them with the sparse Byzantine and other surrounding histories, and looks as if it should clarify things a lot for me.
THCoins, I'd love to see some more of your Hun pieces: In the meantime a few of my more Sasanian-based ones are below.
Gobl GIH Emm. 3/4, pl. 88, obv. 7, rev. not shown, but countermark as no. 8., Chionite Huns, Northern Tokharistan, principality of Kobadian, 2.91 gm, 31.5 mm, c.490-525
Gobl GIH Emm. 244, Later Huns in Zabulistan/ Sistan, Vakhu (Vasu) Deva, c.680-728, 3.07 gm, 31.5 mm
Gobl GIH Emm. 60 var [60 has palmate spray below bust, this has a circle with pellet below], Khingila, Alchon Huns, c.440-490, 3.74 gm, 27 mm
Alan
Some pieces i have are similar to the last two pieces you have shown. But yours are in a better condition. So i wont'repeat them here, also because i would first have to take some time to take photographs. But i have some other related:
- The first coin here shows the gliding scale between Sasanian and Hunnic coins. This is a coin portraying Sasanian king Kavad I around 500 AD. I am not yet fully sure whether this is a official Sasanian issue or a local imitation.
- The second shows an example of a Gurjura Pratihara coin from about 800 to 900 AD, which you mentioned. Already much more abstracts but with well recognizable "stylistic family" elements both in the portrait and in the fire altar on the reverse.
-Added a third: AE Drachm of Narendra. He is one of the later Alchon Huns, ca 550-600 AD. I is uniface 25 mm, 3.64 gr.
Portrait of the ruler facing right, holding grain stalks. Göbl Hunnen. Em.150
My tiny contribution to the topic - Hunnic imitative drachm of Hormazd IV, if I'm not mistaken
The more the merrier ! Thanks for your contribution. This is gettning to be the central Hun thread.
And i think you are right. Wonder what the countermarksymbol in the lower rim shows if you clean it a bit.
@vaxtankava
Yes Hormzid IV imitative, this type with the countermark 'opopo' [='Phoro' in Bactrian script] is attributed to 'Phromo Kesaro', c.739-745 AD. One of mine below.
@THCoins
The countermark at lower left is a king's(?) head left, see detail below.
Alan
@Manzikert: Nice ! Knew it was supposed to be a face, never seen it this clear and close up !
Quote from: Manzikert on July 03, 2013, 11:09:04 PM
The countermark at lower left is a king's(?) head left, see detail below.
Newer thought it was a head :o , thanks for this info!
To keep up this fascinating topic here are some of my AE Half Drachm Units, Göbl Hunnen Em. 227 and 253 types.
Nice ! These again are the "spikey crown" types. Looks like the die size of the reverse side of your last coin was much larger than the flan. Could that be a drachm die used for a half drachm ?
Attached is a scan of my only (not very good) fractional drachm. I have it listed as a quarter drachm, Em 328, but the weight is actually nearer a third of a drachm, 1.18 gm as opposed to 3.28 and 3.07 gm for my two drachms, so you are probably right that it is an underweight half drachm.
The reverse die on this is obviously for a full drachm sized coin: perhaps they all were.
Alan
I don't have any fractional drachms, nor have i seen them often. Even if you say it is not very good, it is detailed enough to be attributable and still quite pleasing to the eye !
I don't have stellar coins like you guys, but here are mine coins. I do love the earthen color on the first coin eventhough the reverse isn't that great. It was one of the reasons why I bought it. BTW, check out this website that has loads of information on these types of coins http://pro.geo.univie.ac.at/projects/khm/?language=en
(https://www.forumancientcoins.com/gallery/albums/userpics/36484/normal_image00299.jpg)
What you say, the color and definition of especially the first coin is lovely ! I believe the weak reverse is more or less typical of the type. The few with perfect reverse are really the odd ones out. The doulble strike on your reverses make them extra interesting. Thanks for adding the link !
Some recent acquisitions:
Hephthalite: Khingila (440-490) AR Drachm (Göbl-67)
Obv: Straight-back bust, rising above the garden, flames emerging from both shoulders, single ribbon behind, rising; Brahmi legend above
Rev: Remnants of Fire altar and attendants design
(https://www.forumancientcoins.com/gallery/albums/userpics/36484/normal_Hephthalite_G%C3%B6bl-67.jpg)
Hephthalite: Mehama (461-493) AR Drachm (Göbl-74, MACW-1441)
Obv: Tall Hephthalite bust with long earrings; Brahmi legend at 1:00; Tamgha in front of face
Rev: Remnants of Fire altar and attendants design
(https://www.forumancientcoins.com/gallery/albums/userpics/36484/normal_Hephthalite_G%C3%B6bl-74.jpg)
Hephthalites: Vasu Deva (early 7th Century) AR Tri-lingual Drachm (Göbl Hunnen Em.244, MACW-1560)
Obverse: Bust of Vasu Deva right in Persian style. Bull head above crown ; tamgha countermark, gold plug countermark. Brahmi legend in field. Cursive Bactrian Greek Legend around.
Reverse: Zoroastrian fire altar and attendants. Pahlavi legend in fields, Cursive Bactrian Greek Legend around.
(https://www.forumancientcoins.com/gallery/albums/userpics/36484/normal_image00598.jpg)
Breathtaking stuff. Do I see a gold plug in the last coin? Is it contemporary or a repair job? The bimetallic collectors will love it... >:D
Peter
Quote from: Figleaf on September 23, 2013, 12:42:33 AM
Breathtaking stuff. Do I see a gold plug in the last coin? Is it contemporary or a repair job? The bimetallic collectors will love it... >:D
Peter
Contemporary plug of Gold. Based on the information I have, there really isn't any reason why this was done...
Hephthalites: Napki Malka Drachm, Kabul Valley & Zabul (Göbl-198.12)
(http://api.ning.com/files/ZU3paCOb3inFkDedrdHhKVZhMV5pp*xKeZmS2fxCQxZr9C9L1jHbp45T2XsZG7unWnmRlpm5N4XGXM5ua4SC2x67qMf2lIJr/HephthalitesNapkiMalkaDrachmKabulValleyZabulGbl198.12Obverse.jpg?width=500&height=483)(http://api.ning.com/files/ZU3paCOb3in7E4wdrm0coJHMu6BzMvwpo76mWc8VQzK-0EaGLKgZxTsyzZKoALkEooSKiTs7JVaIt9wam5ccBU*KYTf1pJ21/HephthalitesNapkiMalkaDrachmKabulValleyZabulGbl198.12Reverse.jpg?width=500&height=493)
Missed the attribution on the ones you placed before Vasu Deva. Looks like Khingila ?
On your last coin this is definitely the best Bull (or is is a horned horse ?) headdress i have seen on these !
Quote from: THCoins on September 23, 2013, 09:44:27 AM
Missed the attribution on the ones you placed before Vasu Deva. Looks like Khingila ?
On your last coin this is definitely the best Bull (or is is a horned horse ?) headdress i have seen on these !
Thanks Anthony! I fixed the attributions on both of the coins and you are correct that it is Khingila . The coins on the following link is also amazing too:
http://pro.geo.univie.ac.at/projects/khm/?language=en
When i strated at the beginning of that page i thought Hmm.. they're a bit to fine and smooth to my liking.
But when you scroll down, there are a lot of very nice coins with character !
Here is my specimen (silver drachm) to add to this central hunnic thread.......
(http://api.ning.com/files/mWq-Pv8RWzQto53wi6AVyQdrTyZ53Zlw5Sw7lpfWevtPDQ8rcFunYgC-Ea4EyUn1ZlrPJQQGZ*wQMM3XIDD2zr95gKacNCLY/HephthaliteHuns475576ADNezakShahSilverDrachmKabulZabulregionbuffaloheadcrownNapkiMalkainPahlavi.jpg)
I just love the portrait within a complete dotted border circle showing the King wearing fine pearl string necklace, ear-ring, curled hair and the remarkable winged crown topped by the buffalo-head. The eyes and mushtache are very clear and the nose is exquisite. Whereas most coins show a wheel with spokes above the attendants head on the reverse, this one has a sun rosette (circle of dots), does this make the 'rosette' type scarce?
If this is a realistic portrait of a Hun King, and I have no doubt it is, then he must have been a remarkable man indeed, a product of the medieval time of constant upheavals, conquests, pillage, mayhem etc, as save for the crown and bull head, the features portray a remarkably noble and intelligent face with sharp features and not that of an uncivilized savage and a barbarian.
While the Huns deserve all the flak, and deservedly so, for their wanton destructive trail left across much of the globe, can there be a possibility that later historians pillorize their negative traits while overlooking, so to say, the other side of the coin, that points to, however nominal, a certain grace, dignity and noble characteristics of the race constituting Hunnic people and their civilization? Do we really know all that is known?
Looking at this coin, I do not get the feeling that its a blind cut-and-paste imitation of prevailing local issues. The Reverse is no doubt inspired by the Sassanian fire-altar and hence retained for continuity, familiarity and acceptance by the general populace but the Obverse has design elements original and different from the Sassanian bust, especially the buffalo head. So, whats the significance of the bull or buffalo head to the Huns? The buffalo on the coin is most certainly the common 'black' buffalo and not a 'Zebu' going by the ribbed horns clearly visible on the coin. Does the buffalo head signify the Huns nomadic and pastoral life including dependence on the cattle herd for their sustenance or is it a victor's trophy strung and super-imposed above the winged crown-head representing the people and territories under Sassanian influence they just subdued? Why is the 'barbaric, savage, uncivilized, blood thirsty nomadic Hun' King wearing jewellery and other fine ornaments on the coin and not supposedly dressed like a warrior huntsmen? What is the message being sent out to the people who will use these coins? It most certainly does not look repelling rather it shows certain cultural sensibility in continuing a known pattern with minor design tweaks. I may be very wrong here but I'm sharing what I feel, and not being prejudiced by prior and/or biased written material, for others to share their view too.
Isn't it nice how a small piece of metal can lead to such a stream of thoughts.
The Hun's have a bad name. And perhaps we should not have a central "Hun" thread. Because it is clear that "The Huns" did not exist. There were many groups which intermingled in time and space.
Many people define the fire altar reverse as Sasanian. I don't know. I think the basis fire altar design is older already. The depiction on your coin indeed is a bit out of the ordinary. What struck me at first sight was that it looked as if the king even had a beard ?
Ah I found your Hunnic - Pile - On thread!!!
I have quite a few huns, some a represented very well here. I have one specimen I did not see here, thus I throw my hat into the ring.
Bust of Kidara facing slightly right, wearing crown with streamers, KIDARA KU-SANASA in Brahmi above / Fire altar flanked by attendants, SULAKHA in Brahmi below. 29mm, 4.11 grams. Kabul mint (?). Gobl, Hunnen Em. 11; MACW Struck c. AD 360.
Yes, everyone from the extended Hinnic family is welcome here. This is a very nice addition ! very much like the distinctive portrait style.
Alchon, Turk,Nezak Confederation
Afghanistan, Kapisa-Kabul mint
AR Drachm 28 mm x 2.92 grams (AD 680-700)
Obverse:Unknown tribal leader (Shahi Tigin?)left wearing radiant crown, Tamgha left field. Cursive Bactrian Greek - CPIO FAUIO.
Revers: Zoroastrian fire altar with two attendants. Unknown mark on reverse. (letter)
ref# Gobl Hunnic: 236
Kobadien, Northern Tokharistan,
Xionite Huns
AR Drachm 30 mm x 2.87 grams
Struck AD 680-720
Obverse: Crowned Bust of Peroz flanked by Tamghas- Countermark, Forepart horse, Circular symbol, Human head wearing pom pom hat-Cursive Bactrian Greek- ALChOON
Reverse: Zoroastrian Fire Altar flanked by two attendants. Counter mark Reclining Camel, Human head wearing Satrapal Cap.
ref# cf.Gobl 72/73
Note: Rare, Silk Road Coin.
I saw one of these. I have it attributed to a much later date. I don't remember these being considered contemporary to the Peroz Host coins. I have a great deal of visible counter marks. I personally like the reclining camel on the reverse. Very silk road-ish.
Hi Noob, another nice one. Manzikert showed a similar one earlier in hits thread. I think the coin reference is Göbl Em. 288.
The ruler under whom the coins were minted is also commonly referred to as the Termez Shah. Some more info here (http://www.zeno.ru/showgallery.php?cat=786).
Thanks for that link to Zeno TH, it slightly preempts what I was going to post, and I will have to spend a few hours looking through that area of Zeno.
I have a total of 5 of these pieces, two of which I have had for about 35 years and three which I bought recently because they had marks not represented on my original two. They have been rather harshly cleaned, but one has marks 1, 2, 3 and 4 plus a mark not represented there which looks to me like an eagle's head left. I am certain it can't be another version of mark 5 (which is clearly represented on another of them) as there is definitely a beak.
Also, I was going to post that the camel on Ancientnoob's piece wasn't a camel but I now see it is clearly mark kob6, with the camel and elephant's head.
It seems possible that my original two may have come from part of the Termez hoard which got dispersed before Gobl saw it (they just have his marks 72 and 73), and the other three might come from Hoard 3 as they show similar extra marks.
Alan
Excellent info.
In the spirit of the thread I also wanted to share a coin that was just released from a 4 month customs detention. I am surprised I even recieved the coin and even surprised by the awesomeness of the type. This is what I have on it...
Hunnic Tribes, Nezak Huns.
Sahi Tigin.
BI Drachm. Circa AD 710-720.
28.50mm, 2.80g.
Kapisa-Kabul mint.
Obv.CPI TOGINI PHOYO in Baktrian, diademed and crowned bust right
Rev: Fire altar with ribbons, flanked by two attendants. "Srima dive" in Brahmi down to right of altar shaft, ["pare Sri down to left].
Ref# Gobl, Dokumente Em. 206, MACW -. Zeno #20999. Good very fine.
Note: Rare specially at this condition.
A nice specimen, I am most envious: I'm afraid my one, which came from the same source as yours, is in a very sorry state (2.87 gm, 30 mm).
There is also a superb one on Zeno (21384) with a lovely countermark on the neck.
Alan
Nice items, especially the last one! The one I have has no comparison in terms of condition, but it bears quite distinct "bull head" counter-mark.. cant find any reference to it..
Good to discover this thread about a series of coins I very much like. Here's one of mine. Name of the lord is Sero, from the age of Sahi Tigin (about 710-720). Göbl 242.
Dimensions: weight 4,04 gr., diameter 31,96 mm.
Very nice addition ! Never encountered one of these. Although the reverse seems double struck i still think i can see the fire altar and attendants there. The thing in the crown is usually described as a solar disk i think. In this form it almost looks like a lotus with 8 petals, which might be a buddhist symbol ?
By the way; For people who were not informed about this yet: the previously well known Grifterrec website, which closed after the death of Tom Mallon-McCorgray, is available again here (http://grifterrec.rasmir.com/huns/huns.html). Lots of nice pictures and information on the subject.
Thank you. Link collection (http://www.worldofcoins.eu/forum/index.php/topic,68.0.html) updated.
Peter
I had forgotten to add the dimensions of the Sero coin, I put them in my original message for clarity's sake.
In Vondrovec's voluminous book Coinage of the Iranian Huns and their Successors from Bactria to Gandhara (4th to 8th Century CE), Vol. 2, you find the coin (type 242) on p. 614 and the crown described as "a winged crown with a large crescent, containing a jewel, two knotted snakes emerge from the diadem". The coins depicted by Vondrovec have a different number of dots in the "jewel", 11 or 12.
I had not detected the snakes yet. Just assumed the Sassanian style wings. With a variable number of dots around the disk it is probably not likely that the exact shape has a symbolic meaning. (I had an association with the Hindu Sudarshana Chakra also)
Quote from: vaxtankava on April 13, 2015, 03:27:39 PM
Nice items, especially the last one! The one I have has no comparison in terms of condition, but it bears quite distinct "bull head" counter-mark.. cant find any reference to it..
@Vaxtankava, I started from your remark and looked up the countermarks in the books of Vondrovec (this is Vol. II, pp. 648-653, and p. 944 for the countermarks, see the picture) and the great scientific work that forms the base of all modern Hunnic numismatics,
Dokumente zur Geschichte der iranischen Hunnen in Baktrien und Indien (1967) by Robert Göbl, a four-volume book in German that's not easy to fathom.
The types of these coins (206, 207 and 240) bear only a small number of the many countermarks, numbered 101, 123 and 124. 123 is described as a "bull's head in 3/4 frontal view with a small globe between the horns", and that's clear from your coin. 124 shows a boar's (?) head to the right with on its left side a human profile, probably the other c/m on your coin. 101 is somehow not depicted by Göbl, but it's clear in showing a series of tiny dashes ,,,, at the lower side. I've one of these, but it's hard to photograph (all dark billion, and too bumpy for the scanner).
Update: I now took a photo by daylight, and that worked quite well, I discovered details I hadn't noticed before! It's inserted here.Göbl says more or less that the meaning of the c/m on the neck of the ruler can only mean that he is vanquished. The bull and the boar-human head possibly had a symbolic meaning like the Roman Empire's field standards. And the coin being countermarked had a financial-political reason: probably they needed coin for small pay, and this was a way to confiscate enemy coins for your own needs and with a definite value. Feel free to add and correct!
Paul
Here is my modest addition to this fantastic discussion,
Silver drachm, weight = 3.24 gm., diameter = 29.7 mm.
Anjan
Not so modest, as you have one with a quite nice reverse ! These are the hardest to get in this type.
Thank you, Anthony. Can this coin be attributed to a particular ruler ?
Anjan
Here is one of mine.
26mm x 3.2g x 10h
Great additions to show the variety in htese coins !
QuoteCan this coin be attributed to a particular ruler ?
: No these Nezak coins are as yet not attributed to specific historical ruler names as far as i know.
What a beautiful array of coins in this thread. Here is my example.
HUNNIC TRIBES, Nezak Huns. Anonymous ("Nezak Shah"). Circa 500/15-560/600. Æ Drachm (26mm, 3.55 g, 3h). Kabul mint. Bust right, wearing crown surmounted by winged bull's head / Fire altar flanked by attendants; wheel symbols flanking flames. Göbl, Dokumente Em. 198; FPP fig. 84, 1.
(https://c4.staticflickr.com/8/7766/18368524891_0ddbd8d1c2_c.jpg)
Thanks for the addition, the more the merrier ! Great photo.
Great additions. This is becoming my favorite WoC thread!
I keep coming back and looking at Mazikert's Hun #19. OMG! I want it, I want it, I want it.
Thank you, that is pretty much how I felt when I saw it in the auction catalogue ;D
I have seen a couple which have better reverses, but I've not seen a better obverse.
Alan
Quote from: Ancientnoob on June 04, 2015, 01:49:08 PM
Great additions. This is becoming my favorite WoC thread!
I keep coming back and looking at Mazikert's Hun #19. OMG! I want it, I want it, I want it.
Just because it's nice to make people jealous:
Yep, that worked: :o :o :o Jealous, jealous, jealous!
Alan
And what if those Huns were of a jolly disposition (some excessive taste of murder and destroying things notwithstanding), and they just laughed at the silly crowns of the Sassanian emperors with all those wings, pendants, stars and crescents, with pearls, gold and balls of heavily perfumed artificial hair into the bargain (Robert Göbl estimated the weight of Xusro II's crown as something like 200 pounds!).
The Huns decided: that's something we can do better, and they picked up an old buffalo skull, dipped it in gold and put it on the king's head as an absurd crown (think about the helmets of some knights in Monty Python and the Holy Gr-Gr-Grailll!), and stuck out their tongues against the mighty Sassanians. As for the Kidarite crowns, they probably just consisted of a circlet with some leftover carrots and bones from a copious meal stuck into it. What if they were just mocking their Sassanian enemies with this headgear?
It could be. What do we know about humor and parody in the early mediaeval Hun culture? Probably they were laughing a lot. But about what?
- Paul
Aww, your guys are killing me here...
I have to make my apologies, I was too light-hearted, too shallow in interpreting serious signals of early medieval history. But I will make up by posting a link to a most interesting book about the matter (https://openaccess.leidenuniv.nl/bitstream/handle/1887/28381/ThesisLeidenUNadiaHamid.pdf?sequence=1), a very recent thesis (2014) by Nadia Hamid for Leiden University: Agency in Material? The Iconography of Headdresses at Bamiyan and What it Suggests about Relations with Neigboring Regions between the 5th and 8th Centuries A.D..
Bamiyan is the site in Afghanistan where two giant Buddhas were destroyed by the Taliban in 2001. It was an important Buddhist cult site in Tokharistan (that's the name for Bactria, or Afghanistan-Southern Uzbekistan, in the Sassanian centuries), and still yields a lot of archeological data. This is a book of 130 pages with some useful illustrations, also of coins (use F5 with 'coins' for the various pages where Nadia Hamid treats numismatics). The author gives a valuable sketch of history and culture of this Kushan-Sassanian-Kidarite-Hunnic-Turkic area, then pinning it down to Bamiyan, and evidence of headdresses/ crowns worn then and there - plus their function. Most instructive.
-- Paul
No need to apologize for some light-heartedness ! Thanks for the link, will make an interesting read i am sure.
Anthony
I found another fine Hunnic drachm, a Kidarite (about 380-450) with a full frontal face (not 3/4 like many). Another unusual thing is, that it doesn't have two assistants at the side of the fire altar, but only one. At the other side is a huge vase or bowl with long stalks jutting out of it.
There's a tiny inscription under the altar on the reverse, read as 'pylwc' (according to Pfisterer) or 'Jadana' (according to Vondrovec). I hope knowledgeable people seeing this drachm can read my coin and tell me what it says!
Technical description: AR drachme Kidara, ca. 400. Unknown king. Obv. Frontal bust with a crown topped by a poppyball globe on a crescent, leaves next to it. Hair balls at the sids of the head. Broad ribbons rising from the king's shoulders. No text. Rev. Fire altar with ONE assistant, the one at the right side has been replaced by a large bowl with branches. Text under altar 'pylwc' (according to Pfisterer) or 'Jadana' (according to Vondrovec).
4,00 gr., 29,5 mm. Göbl Hunnen 15 (= Vondrovec 15 A). Pfisterer 15. Vondrovec I Type 15 (not 15 A). Description p. 32.
WOW!! You got yourself a mighty Hun beauty there Paul.
I can only echo that. That's a wonderfully scary face, brimming with character. If you'd have met him you'd have been in major trouble, I suppose.
Peter
Agree fully on the attractiveness of this coin !!
As for the possible text legend: sorry, on this photo i can not make anything of it.
Regarding its place and time of origin i would say a Brahmi legend would be somewhat more likely i think.
After a lot of hesitation I decided to buy this coin, for me a new type, a Nezak Hun variant, ascribed to the king of Khorasan, known as Sahi Tigin.
Obv.: bust 3/4 to the right, with a large mustache and remarkable crown. Rev.: bust of fire god Adur in a nimbus of flames.
29 mm, 2,76 gr. Year 77 = probably Post Yazdgard Era, that would mean 727.
This type is known as Tarkhan Nezak, one of the Sahi Tigin types, probably from the early 8th century. I always wonder about the prototype of this portrait, strange and uncouth as it is. It is described in the Hun series of Göbl as Nr. 208, and accordingly with the same type number by Vondrovec (vol. 2, p. 656). See also Zeno 39298.
According to Vondrovec, the Pahlavi text on the reverse says left (year) 77 and right tkyn' hwl's s'n mlka, 'Tegin King of Khorasan'. But the last text part on the Vondrovec picture is slightly different from the text on my coin. Does anybody read Pahlavi good enough to read this?
The text on the obverse is Brahmi (circular) and Bactrian (in the field, at the right of the bust). The Brahmi text is also a bit different from the plate coins in Vondrovec. I wonder if you can tell me more about the texts on this coin.
-- Paul
Hi Paul,
I have mixed feelings about this one. I very much like this type, but i have doubts about this coin. The general execution of the scripts seems to be a bit sloppy. I think i can read "77" though.
I costs me a bit to much time now to analyse the entire Brahmi script. A thing that worries me is that i can locate the spot which probably should read "Sri ShaHi TiGiNa DeVa", but it is not spelled correctly ?
Would love to hear the opinion of Klaus Vondrovec on this specimen.
Anthony
Thanks very much. I followed your suggestion and sent Klaus Vondrovec a message through academia.edu, which is, by the way, a source of many excellent scientific articles about numismatics.
-- Paul
Good idea !
Just compared with this one on Zeno (http://www.zeno.ru/showphoto.php?photo=165590), here the spelling is as what i would expect :-\
I did not aquire many interesting coins in this category lately, so here just a small "work in progress" post.
These two coins were in a larger lot with copper coins from northern Afghanistan/Pakistan. Actually they appeared no more than slugs without any recognizable detail. I stored them in oil for about two months, with several sessions of brushing in between. And behold, they have started to show some detail. Though they each have just one relatively good side they complement eachother nicely.
It is clear this is a fractional Nezak Hun drachm. On the obverse a portrait of the king. On the reverse the fire altar, where the right coin very clearly shows one of the flanking attendants. 16x14 mm, slightly over 1 gram each.
They will go into the oil again for some months.
Here another one i had not come to photograph yet.
It is a Drachm in the style of Sassanid ruler Hormazd IV struck ca 600-800AD under the rule of the Yabghu of Tokharistan. This is the region around the city of Balkh North-East of Kabul in Afghanistan.
A hoard of these surfaced earlier this year. There was some concern whether these were genuine, because a fairly large amount of die identical specimen. When the prices went down after the first rush i got myself a nice specimen anyhow.
The portrait of the ruler is nicely defined. Also the countermark of the flying camel at the bottom is clearly visible.
32 mm 2.85 grams
Awesome coin...I love the countermark. Congrats.
Thanks Bob, and welcome to the neighborhood!
Anthony
As for the Nezak fractionals, I have these two. The left is a smaller AE drachm of 22 mm, weighing 3.51 gr, the right a type that's more like that of yours, but far heavier. It's 17 mm and 4.12 gr.
By the way, Vondrovec never answered my message (maybe he never received it, Academia's ways are long and intricate).
-- Paul
Intersting contrast between these different fractional types !
Your little one probably is not just a different denomination than mine. The hair of the king is different, as is the text in front of the face, so i think this may be different rulers. Your big one is a magnificent specimen ! Again probably of a different type. Do you know what the object in front of the face is supposed to be ? Looks like some sort of jar ? The Tamgha on the reverse makes this an extra attractive specimen to me.
Can any member help with a direct mail address for Mr. Vondrovec?
Peter
To revive interest in this fascinating thread, here's a very interesting article by Elizabeth Errington, 'Differences in the Patterns of Kidarite and Alkhon Coin Distribution at Begram and Kashmir Smast' (2010), that gives an overview of Kidarite, Alchon and related coins of soutern Central Asia-Northern India, the coins of the 3rd-7th century that were mentioned here. It's on Academia.edu (requires inscribing), where you might find other numismatic articles of interest, too.
It's an essay from Alram's Coins, Art and Chronology II. The First Millennium C.E. in the Indo-Iranian Borderlands. Here's the link. (https://www.academia.edu/3687672/Differences_in_the_Patterns_of_Kidarite_and_Alkhon_Coin_Distribution_at_Begram)
Several of the abovementioned coins are documented. Elizabeth Errington is on the staff of the British Museum, Department of Coins and Medals.
-- Paul
Thanks for the link !
Anthony
Thank you for the link, downloaded for future study.
Whilst here I thought I'd post a couple of relatively recent acquisitions.
The first is a tiny 1/6th unit (?), 1.03 gm, 14x11.5 mm. This was one of two items in an Ebay lot claiming to be two Gupta coppers! The other was a brockage of a Byzantine tetarteron of Manuel I Commnenus. My Gobl GIH is packed away at the moment so I haven't been able to look it up, but the reverse seems to be a leopard(?) or lion(?) right.
The second is a standard Napki Malka drachm, but it is struck in the best quality silver I've seen: it is definitely not plated, and the only downside is that the reverse is the usual mishmash of double striking. 2.99 gm, 26 mm.
Alan
I'll resurrect this thread with the only example i have of the Napki Malik type, weight is 3.67g, 26mm
Very sharply struck specimen Vic, congrats. Especially the clear strike of one on the reverse altar attendants is very nice !
Quote from: THCoins on July 15, 2018, 12:03:29 PM
Very sharply struck specimen Vic, congrats. Especially the clear strike of one on the reverse altar attendants is very nice !
Yes a nice coin, I got it from the same man as the Gurjara, Bhoja I. AR Drachm I posted recently, I also got a Toramana II early style AE Stater I've yet to post
Congratulations, Vic. Most excellent addition to your collection!
Peter
Here is a coin with beautiful sand patina I'd love to buy if only I can ascertain that it falls at least somewhat within my collecting focus.
Napki Malik.jpgNapki Malik b.jpg
I don't have Göbl or Vondrovec. What I am likely looking for is MACW 1491-1498. The closest I got is Zeno 131060 (https://www.zeno.ru/showphoto.php?photo=131060), which is described as MACW 1491-1494. Apart from the hair, the flying thingies behind the bust and the "lettering" in front of the bust, the likeness is pretty good and I also see similarities with MACW 1494, but the general style seems different. Contemporary counterfeit? Later development?
Peter
I bought it in the end, falling for the beautiful patina, though there were no reactions. Is there no more info in Göbl or Vondrovec?
Peter
That should be the one below, which is from the Gandharan series with contracted Pehlvi legends:
Nezak Kings of Kabul: Napki Malka (475-576) AR Drachm (MACW-1523)
Obv: Bare headed bust right of Hephthalite "Napki" type; Tamgha behind bust; Pehlvi legend contracted from Napki Malka. Legend now looks like a 'fish'. The crown is of the trident-type.
Rev: Normal fire altar and attendants design
(https://www.forumancientcoins.com/gallery/albums/userpics/36484/normal_image00300.jpg)
Absolutely brilliant, QG! It has recovered its time and place. Mitchiner makes the point that the types of Hephtalite Napki Maliks for the provinces differed only in the script used. The upshot is that this type could easily have circulated in other parts of the empire, including Soghd, so it is a good illustration of Mitchiner's story.
Peter
The Gandharan-types are quite interesting, especially the legends:
Nezak Kings of Kabul: Napki Malka (475-576) AR Drachm (MACW-1528,1539)
Obv: Bare headed bust right of Hephthalite "Napki" type; Tamgha behind bust; Brahmi legend - Sri SaHi. The crown is of the trident-type.
Rev: Normal fire altar and attendants design
(https://www.forumancientcoins.com/gallery/albums/userpics/36484/normal_Sri_Sahi.jpg)
Nezak Kings of Kabul: Napki Malka (475-576) AR Drachm (MACW-1535)
Obv: Bare headed bust right of Hephthalite "Napki" type; Tamgha behind bust; Brahmi legend - Sri SaHi. The crown is of the trident-type; banner to right
Rev: Normal fire altar and attendants design
(https://www.forumancientcoins.com/gallery/albums/userpics/36484/normal_MACW-1535.jpg)
Lovely coins, QG. Amazing that a people that had such artists among them chose to copy other people's designs.
And those two pictures take away the last little doubt I had: the pointy nose and chin on my coin and the remnants of a moustache.
Peter