Iranian Huns, page 2

h e p h t h a l i t e s

Nezak Huns in Kapisa: Kabul
(Gobl Hunnen 198 - 207, 240 - 243; 245 - 251)

There is an article in the Spring 1996 Oriental Numismatic Society newsletter (#148) by Shoshin Kuwayama, originally published in South Asian Archaeology 1993: Proceedings of the 12th International Conference of the European Association of South Asian Archaeologists that states fairly convincingly that these 'Buffalo-head' crown issues are not Hephthalite at all but belong to a late 6th, early 7th century kingdom with its capital in Kapisi called the 'Cao' (Gobl refers to it as 'Tso'). It turns out that Chinese Sui/Tang literary sources mention a kingdom located there in which the ruler wears a golden crown decorated with a bull's head. Notwithstanding that however, there must be a 'Hephthalite' connection as the busts still rest on 'wings', etc. More on this later.

21k JPG

'Nezak Malka' (circa 515 - 680 AD)
AR Drachm
Gobl Hunnen Em. 198 type
25 mm.
3.24 gm.
Diameter of obverse dotted border=25 mm.; diameter of reverse border=24 mm.
Die position=3h
reverse
Obverse: Bust right wearing bull headdress; Pahlavi 'S' behind bust.
Reverse: 6-spoked sun wheels.

21k JPG

'Nezak Malka' (circa 515 - 680 AD)
AR Drachm
Gobl Hunnen Em. 198 type
26 mm.
3.25 gm.
Diameter of obverse dotted border=25 mm.; diameter of reverse border=23 mm.
Die position=4h
reverse
Obverse: Bust right wearing bull headdress; Pahlavi 'S' behind bust.
Reverse: 6-spoked sun wheels.
Note: Similar die as previous coin.

21k JPG

'Nezak Malka' (circa 515 - 680 AD)
AR Drachm
Gobl Hunnen Em. 198 type
25 mm.
3.25 gm.
Diameter of obverse dotted border=25 mm.; diameter of reverse border=24 mm.
Die position=4h
reverse
Obverse: Bust right wearing bull headdress; Pahlavi 'S' behind bust.
Reverse: 6-spoked sun wheels.

25k JPG

'Nezak Malka' (circa 515 - 680 AD)
AR Drachm
Gobl Hunnen Em. 198 type
26 x 27 mm.
3.14 gm.
Diameter of obverse dotted border=26 mm.; diameter of reverse border=n/a
Die position=4h
reverse
Obverse: Bust right wearing bull headdress; Pahlavi 'S' behind bust.
Reverse: 6-spoked sun wheels.

26k JPG

'Nezak Malka' (circa 515 - 680 AD)
AR Drachm
Gobl Hunnen Em. 198 type
27 mm.
2.86 gm.
Diameter of obverse dotted border=25 mm.; diameter of reverse border=25 (?) mm.
Die position=3h
reverse
Obverse: Bust right wearing bull headdress; Pahlavi 'S' behind bust.
Reverse: 6-spoked sun wheels.

23k JPG

'Nezak Malka' (circa 515 - 680 AD)
AR Drachm
Gobl Hunnen Em. 198 type
26 mm.
3.27 gm.
Diameter of obverse dotted border=24 mm.; diameter of reverse border=22 mm.
Die position=4h
reverse
Obverse: Bust right wearing bull headdress; Pahlavi 'S' behind bust.
Reverse: 6-spoked sun wheels.

22k JPG

'Nezak Malka' (circa 515 - 680 AD)
AR Drachm
Gobl Hunnen Em. 198 type
26 mm.
3.14 gm.
Diameter of obverse dotted border=25 mm.; diameter of reverse border=24x23 mm. (oval)
Die position=4h
reverse
Obverse: Bust right wearing bull headdress; Pahlavi 'S' behind bust. Pellet behind bust; stylized buffalo head.
Reverse: 6 (?)-spoked sun wheels.

24k JPG

'Nezak Malka' (circa 515 - 680 AD)
AR Drachm
Gobl Hunnen Em. 198 type
26 mm.
2.73 gm.
Diameter of obverse dotted border=25 mm.; diameter of reverse border=25 mm.
Die position=4h
reverse
Obverse: Bust right wearing bull headdress; Pahlavi 'S' behind bust.
Reverse: 6-spoked sun wheels.

23k JPG

'Nezak Malka' (circa 515 - 680 AD)
AR Drachm
Gobl Hunnen Em. 198 type
25 mm.
3.11 gm.
Diameter of obverse dotted border=24 mm.; diameter of reverse border=22 x 23 mm.
Die position=3h
reverse
Obverse: Bust right wearing bull headdress; Pahlavi 'A' behind bust.
Reverse: 6-spoked sun wheels.

23k JPG

'Nezak Malka' (circa 515 - 680 AD)
AR Drachm
Gobl Hunnen Em. 198.34
26 mm.
3.07 gm.
Diameter of obverse dotted border=24 mm.; diameter of reverse border=26x24 mm. (oval)
Die position=3h
reverse
Obverse: Bust right wearing bull headdress; Pahlavi 'A' behind bust.
Reverse: 8-spoked sun wheels.

18k JPG

'Nezak Malka' (circa 515 - 680 AD)
AE Drachm
Gobl Hunnen Em. -; unpublished.
26 mm.
3.30 gm.
Diameter of obverse dotted border=24 mm.; diameter of reverse border=n/a
Die position=3h
reverse
Obverse: Bust right wearing bull headdress; Pahlavi 'A' behind bust. Unpublished variation of legend.
Reverse: 8 (?)-spoked sun wheels.

18k JPG

'Nezak Malka' (circa 515 - 680 AD)
AE Drachm
Gobl Hunnen Em. 198 type
25 mm.
3.78 gm.
Diameter of obverse dotted border=24 mm.; diameter of reverse border=n/a
Die position=3h
reverse
Obverse:
Reverse: 8-spoked sun wheels.

18k JPG

'Nezak Malka' (circa 515 - 680 AD)
AE Drachm
Gobl Hunnen Em. 198 type
26 mm.
3.39 gm.
Diameter of obverse dotted border=26 mm.; diameter of reverse border=n/a
Die position=2h
reverse
Obverse: Bust right wearing bull headdress; Pahlavi 'A' behind bust (?).
Reverse:

24k JPG

'Nezak Malka' (circa 650 - 720 AD)
AR Drachm
Gobl Hunnen Em. 200 type
32 mm.
3.30 gm.
Diameter of obverse dotted border=26 mm.; diameter of reverse border=25 mm.
Die position=3h
reverse
Obverse: Bust right wearing bull headdress; Pahlavi 'A' behind bust.
Reverse:
Note: Very large flan.

32k JPG

'Nezak Malka' (circa 650 - 720 AD)
AR Drachm
Gobl Hunnen Em. 200v.
30 mm.
3.29 gm.
Diameter of obverse dotted border=24 mm.; diameter of reverse border=25 mm.
Die position=3h
reverse
Obverse: Bust right wearing bull headdress; Pahlavi 'A' behind bust.
Reverse:
Note: Courtesy Robert A. Schaaf collection.

22k JPG

'Nezak Malka' (circa 650 - 720 AD)
AR Drachm
Gobl Hunnen Em. 200A type
25 mm.
3.21 gm.
Diameter of obverse dotted border=23 mm.; diameter of reverse border=21 mm.
Die position=2h
reverse
Obverse: Bust right wearing bull headdress; Pahlavi 'A' behind bust. Pellet above buffalo skull.
Reverse:

18k JPG

'Nezak Malka' (circa 515 - 680 AD)
AE Drachm (plated AR)
Gobl Hunnen Em. 200A type
26 mm.
3.61 gm.
Diameter of obverse dotted border=23 mm.; diameter of reverse border=22 mm.
Die position=2h
reverse
Obverse: Bust right wearing bull headdress; Pahlavi 'A' behind bust. Pellet above buffalo skull.
Reverse:

15k JPG

'Nezak Malka' (circa 700 - 740 AD (?))
AR Obol
Gobl Hunnen Em. 268v.
19 mm.
1.42 gm.
Diameter of obverse dotted border=17 mm.; diameter of reverse border=18 mm.
Die position=3h
reverse
Obverse: Bust right wearing bull headdress; tamgha (?) behind bust (?).
Reverse: Figure standing left, arms raised (?); tamgha in right field, star within crescent in left field.
Note: Holed.

17k JPG

'Nezak Malka' (circa 700 - 740 AD)
AE Drachm
Gobl Hunnen Em. 203
21 mm.
3.13 gm.
Diameter of obverse dotted border=20 mm.; diameter of reverse border=21 mm.
Die position=2h
reverse
Obverse: Bust right wearing bull headdress; Pahlavi 'A' behind bust.
Reverse: Tamghas.

Later Huns in Kapisa: Kabul and more
(Gobl Hunnen 208 - 216 and others)

23k JPG

Shahi Tigin (Tarkhan Nezak) (696 AD)
AR Drachm
Gobl Hunnen Em. 208
29 mm.
3.19 gm.
Diameter of obverse dotted border=27 mm.; diameter of reverse border=27 mm.
Die position=4h
reverse
Obverse: Beardless, moustachioed bust, 3/4 right; Bactrian legend CPI ShOYO in front. Brahmi legend starting at 11h, read from outside SRI HITI VIRA KHARALAVA PARAMESVARA SRI VAHI TIGINA DEVAKARI TAM around. Bust wears device on garment/breast consisting of an anulet containing a pellet and crown with two crescents containing crosses (?), each topped with a pellet; Senmurv or lion head above (Gobl crown 45).
Reverse: Goddess Anahita with flaming nimbus, facing; upraised diadem ends to either side. Device on garment/breast consisting of an anulet with a pellet above (unusual, the anulet generally contains a pellet, also). Pahlavi legend around, all within single border. Between inner and outer border: three crescents containing stars at 9, 12 and 3h; two large anulets side by side at 6h.

30k JPG

Anonymous ruler
AR Drachm
Gobl Hunnen Em. 216
31 x 32 mm.
3.00 gm.
Diameter of obverse dotted border=25 mm.; diameter of reverse border=29 mm.
Die position=3h
reverse
Obverse: King facing; Boar countermark in left field.
Reverse: Deity facing.

25k JPG

Nezak Shah (?)
AR Drachm
circa 720 AD (?)
Gobl Hunnen Em. 266
33 x 34 mm.
3.38 gm.
Diameter of obverse dotted border=21 mm.; diameter of reverse border=21 mm.
Die position=3h
reverse
Obverse: Beardless, feminine-looking bust right, with ornate buffalo-head crown, star and crescent behind; three crescents with tamghas outside border. Pahlavi legend bhlk'n (?) in front; legend starting at 11h, nspk MLK (?).
Reverse: Imitating the coins of Khusro II and later. Pahlavi legend (blundered?).

6k JPG (2x)

Anonymous (circa 700 - 740 AD (?))
AE Unit
Gobl Hunnen Em. -; unpublished.
7 x 6 mm.
0.14 gm.
Diameter of obverse dotted border=n/a; diameter of reverse border=n/a
Die position=9h
reverse
Obverse: Beardless bust, 3/4 right.
Reverse: Fire altar.

30k JPG

Anonymous ruler
AR Drachm
Gobl Hunnen Em. 314
xx mm.
xx gm.
Diameter of obverse dotted border=xx mm.; diameter of reverse border=xx mm.
Die position=xh
reverse
Obverse: King right wearing composite Bull and Boar headdress; 'martini glass' tamgha. Brahmi legend.
Reverse: Fire altar..
Note: Courtesy Pankaj Tandon collection.

27k JPG

'Caesar of Rome' (Imitating Khusro II)
Anonymous Hephthalite or Western Turk ruler of Kabul (?)
AR Drachm
circa 738 - 745 AD (?)
Gobl Hunnen Em. 248/247 mule
30 x 31 mm.
2.81 gm.
Diameter of obverse dotted border=22 mm.; diameter of reverse borders=21 mm. and 27 mm.
Die position=4h
reverse
Obverse: Imitative of Khusro II; Bactrian legend in outer border. Pahlavi legend within border; 'TPYR' (?) in front of bust.
Reverse: Fire altar and attendants. Pahlavi legend.

Nezak Huns in Zabul: Ghazni
(Gobl Hunnen 217 - 239; 252 - 259)

22k JPG

'Nezak Malka' (circa 460 - 500 AD)
AR Drachm
Gobl Hunnen Em. 217, Mitchiner ACW 1500-1501
27 mm.
3.51 gm.
Diameter of obverse dotted border=26 mm.; diameter of reverse border=26 mm.
Die position=4h
reverse
Obverse: Bust of king right with small earring, two 'streamers' behind, resting on two 'wings'; wearing winged bull-in-crescent headdress (crown #38v.). Principal control mark behind head(Pahlavi 'Sh' upside down); secondary control mark above left shoulder. Pahlavi legend 'nycky MLD'.
Reverse: Fire altar with attendants; four-spoked (?) sun wheels above.

24k JPG

'Nezak Malka' (circa 460 - 500 AD)
AR Drachm
Gobl Hunnen Em. 217, Mitchiner ACW 1500-1501
29 mm.
3.28 gm.
Diameter of obverse dotted border=25 mm.; diameter of reverse border=25 mm.
Die position=3h
reverse
Obverse: Bust of king right with small earring, two 'streamers' behind, resting on two 'wings'; wearing winged bull-in-crescent headdress (crown #38v.), pellet to either side. Principal control mark behind head(Pahlavi 'Sh' upside down); secondary control mark above left shoulder. Pahlavi legend 'nycky MLD'.
Reverse: Fire altar with attendants; six-spoked sun wheels above.

16k JPG

'Nezak Malka' (circa 460 - 500 AD)
AR Drachm
Gobl Hunnen Em. 217, Mitchiner ACW 1500-1501
25 x 27 mm.
3.62 gm.
Diameter of obverse dotted border=23 mm.; diameter of reverse border=23 mm.
Die position=3h
reverse
Obverse: Bust of king right with medium earring, two 'streamers' behind, resting on two 'wings'; wearing winged bull-in-crescent headdress (crown #38v.). Principal control mark behind head(Pahlavi 'Sh' upside down); secondary control mark above left shoulder. Pahlavi legend 'nycky MLK'.
Reverse: Fire altar with attendants; six-spoked sun wheels above.

21k JPG

'Nezak Malka' (circa 500 - 576 AD)
AR Drachm
Gobl Hunnen Em. 222.21/III (same dies), Mitchiner ACW 1502-1504
27 mm.
3.58 gm.
Diameter of obverse dotted border=25 mm.; diameter of reverse border=24x25 mm.
Die position=3h
reverse
Obverse: Principal control mark behind head(Pahlavi 'Sh' upside down).
Reverse:

24k JPG

'Nezak Malka' (circa 500 - 576 AD)
AR Drachm
Gobl Hunnen Em. 223
25 mm.
2.69 gm.
Diameter of obverse dotted border=25 mm.; diameter of reverse border=25 mm.
Die position=3h
reverse
Obverse: Principal control mark behind head(Pahlavi 'Sh' upside down).
Reverse:

21k JPG

'Nezak Malka' (circa 515 - 680 AD)
AR Drachm
Gobl Hunnen Em. -; unpublished
27 mm.
2.47 gm.
Diameter of obverse dotted border=23 mm.; diameter of reverse border=23 mm.
Die position=3h
reverse
Obverse: Blundered legend with tamgha (!) before bust. Principal control mark behind head(Pahlavi 'Sh' upside down).
Reverse: 4-spoked sun wheels.

21k JPG

'Nezak Malka' (circa 500 - 576 AD)
AR Drachm
Gobl Hunnen Em. 223
26 mm.
3.17 gm.
Diameter of obverse dotted border=25 mm.; diameter of reverse border=25 mm.
Die position=3h
reverse
Obverse: Blundered Pahlavi/Bactrian (?) legend. Principal control mark behind head(Pahlavi 'Sh' upside down).
Reverse:

Later Huns in Zabulistan/Sistan
(Gobl Hunnen 244 and others)

27k JPG

Khorasan Tegin Shah (?) [son of Barha Tegin ?]
AE Drachm
Gobl Hunnen Em. -, Mitchiner ACW -
30 mm.
5.66 gm.
Diameter of obverse dotted border=28 mm.; diameter of reverse border=28 mm.
Die position=2h
reverse
Obverse: Beardless bust, 3/4 right; Pahlavi legend: GDH 'pzwt to left; tkyn bg hwtyp hwr's'n MLK' to right. Senmerv facing right.
Reverse: Fire altar with two attendants facing; tgyn (tegin) or possibly a date tlyn (two) to left; z'wlst[an] to right.

30k JPG

Vakhu Deva (Vasu Deva) (circa 720 AD)
AR Drachm
Gobl Hunnen Em. 244; Mitchiner ACW 1560
32 mm.
3.19 gm.
Diameter of obverse dotted border=25 mm.; diameter of reverse inner border=22 mm.; diameter of reverse outer border=31 mm.
Die position=10h
reverse
Obverse: Beardless bust right, wearing crown of two upturned crescents each containing a pellet; two wings with lion or Senmurv head above (Gobl crown type 51). Bust wears triple-jewel necklace and large earring swept backwards as if in motion. Brahmi legend in front and behind, all within double border. Bactrian legend outside border.
Reverse: Fire altar with two female (?) attendants facing; each holds a sword and wears a crescent headdress. Star to left, crescent to right of flames. Pahlavi legend left and right, all within double border. Bactrian legend outside border.

36k JPG

Vakhu Deva (Vasu Deva) (circa 720 AD)
AR Drachm
Gobl Hunnen Em. 244; Mitchiner ACW 1560
33 x 31 mm.
3.04 gm.
Diameter of obverse dotted border=26 mm.; diameter of reverse inner border=23 mm.; diameter of reverse outer border=31 mm.
Die position=1h
reverse
Obverse: Gobl countermark 104 [Group III/Nezak Huns] (thunderbolt (?)).
Reverse:
Note: Courtesy Alexander Akin collection.

31k JPG

Vakhu Deva (Vasu Deva) (circa 720 AD)
AR Drachm
Gobl Hunnen Em. 244.15
32 mm.
3.11 gm.
Diameter of obverse dotted border=24 mm.; diameter of reverse border=25 mm.
Die position=3h
reverse
Obverse: Beardless bust right, wearing crown of two upturned crescents each containing a pellet; two wings with lion or Senmurv head above (Gobl crown type 51). Bust wears triple-jewel necklace (obliterated by countermark) and large earring swept backwards as if in motion. Gobl countermark 104 [Group III/Nezak Huns] (thunderbolt (?)). Brahmi legend in front and behind, all within double border. Bactrian legend outside border.
Reverse: Fire altar with two female (?) attendants facing; each holds a sword and wears a crescent headdress. Star to left, crescent to right of flames. Pahlavi legend left and right, all within double border. Bactrian legend outside border.

30k JPG

Vakhu Deva (Vasu Deva) (circa 720 AD)
AR Drachm
Gobl Hunnen Em. 244.15v.
31 mm.
2.60 gm.
Diameter of obverse dotted border=24 mm.; diameter of reverse inner border=22 mm.; diameter of reverse outer border=31 mm.
Die position=4h
reverse
Obverse: Beardless bust right, wearing crown of two upturned crescents each containing a pellet; two wings with lion or Senmurv head above (Gobl crown type 51). Bust wears triple-jewel necklace (obliterated by countermarks) and large earring swept backwards as if in motion. Gobl countermark 104 [Group III/Nezak Huns] (thunderbolt or axe (?)), countermark 103 [Group III/Nezak Huns] (Brahmi letters 'GIYA(RA)'(?)) and an unpublished countermark of a wolf's head (?), left. Brahmi legend in front and behind, all within double border. Bactrian legend outside border.
Reverse: Fire altar with two female (?) attendants facing; each holds a sword and wears a crescent headdress. Star to left, crescent to right of flames. Pahlavi legend left and right, all within double border. Bactrian legend outside border.

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