Western Sogdiana: King Asbar (3rd-6th Century AD) AE Drachm

Started by Quant.Geek, March 13, 2014, 07:57:24 PM

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Quant.Geek

Western Sogdiana: King Asbar (3rd - 6th Century AD) AE Drachm

Obv: Portrait of ruler facing right
Rev: Bukharan tamgha arranged as a firealtar, sogdian legend on both sides: " xwβ ´sbr"

A high-resolution image of this coin is available at FORVM Ancient Coins

A gallery of my coins can been seen at FORVM Ancient Coins

Figleaf

The tamgha as fire altar design is more common in the 7th century. This early appearance is coupled with a delicate, almost feminine head that seems to betray Sassanid influence (leaving out the elaborate Sassanid crowns). It's like a master craftsman set out to create a characteristic design for a recognisable coin and it became a benchmark for a century, not just in Bukhara, but also in nearby Khorezm.

Peter
An unidentified coin is a piece of metal. An identified coin is a piece of history.

THCoins

My first association with the portrait was the resemblance with the hairstyle on egyptian murals. But indeed the coin also has its own destinctively original character in style.

Figleaf

I think this is Asbar also. The portrait seems older.

Peter
An unidentified coin is a piece of metal. An identified coin is a piece of history.