Iranian Huns, page 4

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

Hephthalites
(Gobl Hunnen 271A-281, 283-286, 287-289)

Imitative of Peroz without Countermarks

24k JPG

Anonymous (circa 485 - 600 AD)
AR Drachm
Gobl Hunnen Em. 287 type
28 x 27 mm.
3.99 gm.
Diameter of obverse dotted border=21 mm.; diameter of reverse border=21 mm.
Die position=3h
reverse
Obverse: Early imitation of Peroz I in the finest style; blundered Bactrian (?) legend.Tamgha behind crown.
Reverse: Based on the reverse of Peroz' coins. Fire altar with two attendants. 5 pointed star to left; crescent to right. Altar has two sets of ribbons. Blundered Pahlavi 'm' to left; legend to right obscured by die break.

23k JPG

Anonymous (circa 485 - 600 AD)
AR Drachm
Gobl Hunnen Em. 287 type
28 mm.
3.71 gm.
Diameter of obverse dotted border=20 mm.; diameter of reverse border=20 mm.
Die position=3h
reverse
Obverse: Early imitation of Peroz I in the finest style; blundered Pahlavi (?) legends around.
Reverse: Based on the reverse of Peroz' coins. Fire altar with two attendants. 6 pointed star to left; crescent to right. Altar has two sets of ribbons. Blundered Pahlavi 'm' to left; slightly blundered Bactrian 'ALChONO' to right.

21k JPG

Anonymous (circa 485 - 600 AD)
AR Drachm
Gobl Hunnen Em. 287.1
29 mm.
3.86 gm.
Diameter of obverse dotted border=20 mm.; diameter of reverse border=22 mm.
Die position=3h
reverse
Obverse: Early imitation of Peroz I. Bearded bust right, wearing earring made of three pellets in triangular shape and crown very similar to the early bull/buffalo head Nezak of Ghazni coins (see Gobl Hunnen 217 on page 1); traces of buffalo head incorporated into winged crown, crescent above representing horns, crescent below. Diadem ends in left and right field rising to 10h and 2h, respectively. What is normally described as a tamgha, to right. I believe this is the blundered Pahlavi legend 'MaLKa' (king). Four large pellets outside border.
Reverse: Based on the reverse of Peroz' coins. Fire altar with two attendants. 6 pointed star to left; crescent to right. Altar has two sets of ribbons. Blundered Pahlavi 'm' to left; slightly blundered Bactrian 'ALChONO' to right.

25k JPG

Anonymous (circa 485 - 600 AD)
AR Drachm
Gobl Hunnen Em. 287v.
30 mm.
3.60 gm.
Diameter of obverse dotted border=20 mm.; diameter of reverse border=23 mm.
Die position=3h
reverse
Obverse: Imitation of Peroz I. Caricatured bust right, wearing winged crown similar to the 3rd crown of Peroz; 3 pellets under crescent. Diadem ends in left and right field rising to 9h and 3h, respectively. Blundered Pahlavi legend 'MaLKa' (king) in front of bust. Four large pellets outside border.
Reverse: Based on the reverse of Peroz' coins. Fire altar with two attendants. Star or tamgha to left; crescent to right. Altar has two sets of ribbons. Blundered Pahlavi 'm' to left; blundered Bactrian 'ALChONO' to right.

32k JPG

Anonymous (circa 485 - 600 AD)
AR Drachm
Gobl Hunnen Em. 287v.
32 mm.
3.30 gm.
Diameter of obverse dotted border=21 mm.; diameter of reverse border=22 mm.
Die position=2h
reverse
Obverse: Imitation of Peroz I. Caricatured bust right, wearing winged crown similar to the 3rd crown of Peroz; 3 pellets under crescent. Diadem ends in left and right field rising to 9h and 3h, respectively. Blundered Pahlavi legend 'MaLKa' (king) in front of bust. Four large pellets outside border.
Reverse: Based on the reverse of Peroz' coins. Fire altar with two attendants. 6 pointed star to left; crescent to right. Altar has two sets of ribbons. Blundered Pahlavi 'm' to left; blundered Bactrian 'ALChONO' to right.

27k JPG

Anonymous (circa 485 - 600 AD)
AR Drachm
Gobl Hunnen Em. 287v.
30 mm.
3.16 gm.
Diameter of obverse dotted border=20 mm.; diameter of reverse border=21 mm.
Die position=2h
reverse
Obverse: Imitation of Peroz I. Caricatured bust right, wearing earring (?) and winged crown similar to the 3rd crown of Peroz; 3 pellets under crescent. Diadem ends in left and right field rising to 9h and 3h, respectively. Blundered Pahlavi legend 'MaLKa' (king) in front of bust. Four large pellets outside border.
Reverse: Based on the reverse of Peroz' coins. Fire altar with two attendants. 6 (?) pointed star to left; crescent to right. Altar has two sets of ribbons. Blundered Pahlavi 'm' to left; blundered Bactrian 'ALChONO' to right.

30k JPG

Anonymous (circa 485 - 600 AD)
AR Drachm
Gobl Hunnen Em. 287v.
29 mm.
2.97 gm.
Diameter of obverse dotted border=20 mm.; diameter of reverse border=21 mm.
Die position=3h
reverse
Obverse: Imitative of Peroz I.
Reverse: 5 pointed star. Altar has two sets of ribbons.

25k JPG

Anonymous (circa 485 - 600 AD)
AR Drachm
Gobl Hunnen Em. 287v.
30 mm.
2.94 gm.
Diameter of obverse dotted border=18 mm.; diameter of reverse border=22 mm.
Die position=3h
reverse
Obverse: Imitative of Peroz I.
Reverse: 6 pointed star. Altar has two sets of ribbons.

24k JPG

Anonymous (circa 485 - 600 AD)
AR Drachm
Gobl Hunnen Em. 287v.
30 mm.
3.47 gm.
Diameter of obverse dotted border=20 mm.; diameter of reverse border=22 mm.
Die position=3h
reverse
Obverse: Imitative of Peroz I. Different bust.
Reverse: 6 (?) pointed star. Altar has two (?) sets of ribbons.

26k JPG

Anonymous (circa 485 - 600 AD)
AR Drachm
Gobl Hunnen Em. 287v.
28 mm.
3.93 gm.
Diameter of obverse dotted border=19 mm.; diameter of reverse border=21 mm.
Die position=3h
reverse
Obverse: Imitative of Peroz I. Different bust.
Reverse: 5 pointed star.

19k JPG

Anonymous (circa 485 - 600 AD)
AR Drachm
Gobl Hunnen Em. 287v.
28 mm.
3.92 gm.
Diameter of obverse dotted border=20 mm.; diameter of reverse border=22 mm.
Die position=4h
reverse
Obverse: Imitative of Peroz I. 3 pellets below crown inverted.
Reverse:

Imitative of Peroz with Countermarks

25k JPG

Anonymous (circa 600 - 685 AD)
AR Drachm
Gobl Hunnen Em. 288
30 mm.
3.16 gm.
Diameter of obverse dotted border=20 mm.; diameter of reverse border=23 mm.
Die position=3h
reverse
Obverse: Caricatured bust right, wearing winged crown similar to the 3rd crown of Peroz; 3 pellets under crescent. Diadem ends in left and right field rising to 10h and 3h, respectively. Blundered Pahlavi legend (?) in front of bust. Four large pellets outside border. Tamgha to right; Bactrian word below.
Reverse: Based on the reverse of Peroz' coins. Fire altar with two attendants.

28k JPG

Anonymous (circa 600 - 685 AD)
AR Drachm
Gobl Hunnen Em. 288
29 mm.
2.70 gm.
Diameter of obverse dotted border=21 mm.; diameter of reverse border=23 mm.
Die position=4h
reverse

Obverse: Caricatured bust right, wearing winged crown similar to the 3rd crown of Peroz; 3 pellets under crescent. Diadem ends in left and right field rising to 9h and 3h, respectively. Blundered Pahlavi legend (?) in front of bust. Four large pellets outside border. Tamgha to right; Bactrian word below.
Reverse: Based on the reverse of Peroz' coins. Fire altar with two attendants.

This coin before and after cleaning
Obverse | Reverse

28k JPG

Anonymous (circa 600 - 685 AD)
AR Drachm
Gobl Hunnen Em. 288v.
30 mm.
2.65 gm.
Diameter of obverse dotted border=19 mm.; diameter of reverse border=23 mm.
Die position=3h
reverse
Obverse: Caricatured bust right, wearing winged crown similar to the 3rd crown of Peroz; 1 pellet under crescent. Diadem ends in left and right field rising to 9h and 3h, respectively. Blundered Pahlavi legend (?) in front of bust. Four large pellets outside border. Tamgha to right; Bactrian word below.
Reverse: Based on the reverse of Peroz' coins. Fire altar with two attendants.

21k JPG

Anonymous (circa 600 - 685 AD)
AR Drachm
Gobl Hunnen Em. 288v.
30 x 25 mm.
3.16 gm.
Diameter of obverse dotted border=20 mm.; diameter of reverse border=21 mm.
Die position=4h
reverse
Obverse: Very crude, caricatured bust right, wearing winged crown similar to the 3rd crown of Peroz; 1 pellet (?) under crescent. Diadem ends in left and right field rising to 9h and 3h, respectively. Blundered Pahlavi legend (?) in front of bust. Four large pellets outside border. Tamgha or countermark (?) to right.
Reverse: Based on the reverse of Peroz' coins. Fire altar with two attendants. Star and crescent reversed (!).

Splinter Groups and Imitative Types
(Gobl Hunnen -)

Indefinite Huns

Imitative of Yazdgard I

22k JPG
Anonymous (circa 450 AD (?))
Imitating Yazdgard I (399 - 420 AD), Gobl I/2 type
AR Drachm
Gobl Hunnen Em. 304
26 mm.
3.48 gm.
Diameter of obverse dotted border=23 mm.; diameter of reverse border=23 mm.
Die position=3h
reverse
Obverse:
Reverse: Pseudo-Pahlavi (?) inscription to either side of bust in altar flame.

Hephthalites in Khurasan (Gobl Hunnen 282-286)

Countermarked imitations of Varhran V

26k JPG
Anonymous (circa 500 AD (?))
AR Drachm
Gobl Hunnen Em. 282
31 mm.
3.94 gm.
Diameter of obverse dotted border=24 mm.; diameter of reverse border=26 mm.
Die position=3h
reverse
Obverse: Imitative of Varhran V; countermark at 10h.
Reverse: Altar with attendants. Mint name to right (MRW (?)=Merv in Khurasan). Pahlavi word to left (?).

26k JPG
Anonymous (circa 500 AD (?))
AR Drachm
Gobl Hunnen Em. 282
30 x 31 mm.
3.79 gm.
Diameter of obverse dotted border=22 mm.; diameter of reverse border=23 mm.
Die position=3h
reverse
Obverse: Imitative of Varhran V; countermark at 1h.
Reverse: Altar with attendants. Mint name to right (MRW (?)=Merv in Khurasan). Pahlavi word to left (?).
Note: Courtesy Alexander Akin collection.

Countermarked coins and imitations of Peroz I

[Northern Tocharistan] 22K JPG
Anonymous/Countermarked Imitation (?) Peroz I Drachm
AR Drachm
circa 475 - 600 AD
Host Coin: Imitation (?) Peroz I [1st crown]
Mint: AS (?)
Regnal year: none/Pahlavi 'M'
28 x 29 mm.
3.49 gm.
Gobl Hunnen 283; Gobl Hunnen cntrmk 88 [Bactrian]; Gobl Hunnen cntrmk 79 [Sogdian]
Diameter of obverse dotted border=19 mm.; diameter of reverse border=22 mm.
Die position=3h
reverse
Obverse:
Reverse:

[Northern Tocharistan] 26K JPG
Anonymous/Countermarked Peroz I Drachm
AR Drachm
circa 475 - 600 AD
Host Coin: Peroz I [2nd crown]
Mint: MA
Regnal year: none/king's name
30 x 29 mm.
3.69 gm.
Gobl Hunnen 283; Gobl Hunnen cntrmk 79 [Sogdian]
Die position=3h
Diameter of obverse dotted border=22 mm.; diameter of reverse border=24 mm.
reverse
Obverse:
Reverse:

Countermarked coins and imitations of Kavad I

Countermarked coins and imitations of Khusro I

Indefinite Huns in East Sistan and West Arachosia

Imitative of Khusro I

25k JPG
Anonymous (circa 700 AD)
AR Drachm
Gobl Hunnen Em. 295.16v
28 x 31 mm.
2.87 gm.
Diameter of obverse dotted border=24 mm.; diameter of reverse border=n/a
Die position=3h
reverse
Obverse: Imitative of Khusro I; countermarks.
Reverse: Swastika to right.

25k JPG
Anonymous (circa 700 AD)
AR Drachm
Gobl Hunnen Em. 295v. (no countermarks)
29 mm.
3.58 gm.
Diameter of obverse dotted border=23 mm.; diameter of reverse border=23
Die position=3h
reverse
Obverse: Imitative of Khusro I.
Reverse: Swastika to right.

Huns from questionable centers

Imitative of Hormazd IV

25k JPG
Anonymous (circa 590 - 610 AD)
AR Drachm
Gobl -
32 mm.
3.89 gm.
Diameter of obverse dotted border=24 mm.; diameter of reverse border=24 mm.
Die position=2h
reverse
Obverse: Imitative of Hormazd IV. Bust right with short beard and no moustache. Small hair ball to left. Crescents on both shoulders; crescents and stars on garment, star in left field, star and crescent in right. Diadem ends on either side ending in a round ornament. Pahlavi legend left, 'AFZUI'; legend right, 'HRaMaZ' = 'Hormazd, may his kingdom increase'
Reverse: Fire altar with attendants facing. Star left, crescent right. To left: 'y'cdh' = year 11. To right: BHL = Balkh. Gobl countermark #59 = 'PHORO' in Bactrian.

15k JPG
Anonymous (circa 590 - 610 AD)
AR Drachm
Gobl -
24 mm. (clipped)
2.00 gm. (clipped)
Diameter of obverse dotted border=23 mm.; diameter of reverse border=23 mm.
Die position=3h
reverse
Obverse: Imitative of Hormazd IV. Bust right with short beard and moustache. Small hair ball to left. Crescents on both shoulders; crescents and stars on garment, star in left field, star and crescent in right. Diadem ends on either side ending in a round ornament. Pahlavi legend left, 'AFZUI'; legend right, 'HRaMaZ' = 'Hormazd, may his kingdom increase'
Reverse: Fire altar with attendants facing. Star left, crescent right. To left: 'y'cdh' = year 11. To right: BHL = Balkh.
Note: Struck from worn dies. Because of clipping, no trace of pellet or countermark on reverse. Possibly an authentic Hormazd IV issue.

29k JPG
Anonymous (circa 590 - 610 AD)
AR Drachm
Gobl -
32 x 33 mm.
3.80 gm.
Diameter of obverse dotted border=22 mm.; diameter of reverse border=24 mm.
Die position=3h
reverse
Obverse: Imitative of Hormazd IV. Bust right with short beard and moustache. Small hair ball to left. Crescents on both shoulders; no crescent and star on garment, star in left field, star and crescent in right. Pahlavi legend left, 'AFZUI'; legend right, 'DRM' = 'Hormazd, may his kingdom increase'
Reverse: Fire altar with attendants facing. Star left, crescent right. To left: 'y'cdh' = year 11. To right: BHL = Balkh. Gobl countermark #59 = 'PHORO' in Bactrian.

23k JPG
Anonymous (circa 590 - 610 AD)
AR Drachm
Gobl -
32 mm.
3.63 gm.
Diameter of obverse dotted border=23 mm.; diameter of reverse border=23 mm.
Die position=3h
reverse
Obverse: Imitative of Hormazd IV. Bust right with short beard and moustache. Small hair ball to left. Crescents on both shoulders; crescents and stars on garment, star in left field, star and crescent in right. Pahlavi legend left, 'AFZUI'; legend right, 'HR(?)' = 'Hormazd, may his kingdom increase'
Reverse: Fire altar with attendants facing. Star left, crescent right. To left: 'y'cdh' = year 11. To right: BHL = Balkh. Gobl countermark #59 = 'PHORO' in Bactrian.
Note: Obverse struck from very worn die.

Hun Countermarks on Sasanian Drachms - Gobl Group I

29k JPG
AR Drachm (of Khusro II (590 - 628 AD))
Anonymous (circa 665 AD (?))
32 mm.
3.95 gm.
Gobl Hunnen Countermark 57v.; Mitchiner ACW -
Diameter of obverse dotted border=22 mm.; diameter of reverse border=21 mm.
Die position=4h
reverse
Obverse: Countermark 57v in 1st quadrant.
Reverse: Mint name to right (RD=Rayy mint; province of Mad); year 28 (618 AD) to left.

34k JPG
AR Drachm (of Khusro II (590 - 628 AD))
Anonymous (circa 665 AD (?))
32 mm.
4.04 gm.
Gobl Hunnen Countermark 61v. (fake?); Mitchiner ACW -
Diameter of obverse dotted border=23 mm.; diameter of reverse border=22 mm.
Die position=3h
reverse
Obverse: Countermark 61v in 2nd quadrant. This countermark may be a modern forgery.
Reverse: Mint name to right (NI=Nihavand; province of Mad); year 29 (619 AD) to left.

Hun Countermarks on Sasanian Drachms - Gobl Group III

31k JPG
AR Drachm (of Khusro II (590 - 628 AD))
Anonymous (circa 665 AD (?))
32 mm.
3.84 gm.
Gobl Hunnen Countermarks 11/Bv. (Senmurv) and 99v. (insect or bee w/2 Brahmi letters); Mitchiner ACW -
Diameter of obverse dotted border=22 mm.; diameter of reverse border=23 mm.
Die position=3h
reverse
Obverse: Countermark 99v. between 1st and 2nd quadrants; Countermark 11/Bv. (?) in 2nd quadrant.
Reverse: Mint name to right (NIHCh= Nishapur mint; province of Aprahshahr); year 37 (627 AD) to left. Test scrape in 1st quadrant.

Countermark 99 is unknown on Sasanian coins. It is normally found on Nezak coins with Bactrian script.

Renascent Hunnic coinage in India
(Gobl Hunnen 290 - 294)

Go to the ancient india pages and find the Gurjura Kingdom of Sindh, Pratiharas and the Chaulukyas of Saurashtra sections.

Countermarked Sasanian and Arab-Sasanian Types
(Gobl Hunnen 271/A - 286)

Go to the arab-sasanian page; these are often referred to as Turko-Hephthalite coins, but most carry Arab countermarks.

Other Imitative and/or Countermarked Central Asian Types
(Gobl Hunnen -)

Go to the early central asian page and find the Chaghaniyan section.

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