HUNNIC TRIBES, Hephthalites. Drachm (Silver, 27 mm, 2.73 g, 3 h), imitating a drachm of Hormizd IV (579-590) from Balkh. Uncertain mint in Bactria, after 589. Draped bust of Hormizd IV to right, wearing elaborate mural crown with frontal crescent and korymbos set on crescent; behind head, AFZUT ('may increase' in Pahlawi); before head, WHLMZD ('Hormizd' in Pahlawi); in outer margin, countermark of a helmeted head of a Huna, wearing an earring. Rev. Fire altar flanked by two attendants; in upper left field, six-pointed star; in upper right field, crescent; to left, date in Pahlawi (RY 11 = AD 589); to right, BHL (Balkh, name of the mint in Pahlawi); in outer marigin, countermark of Φoρo in Bactrian (mostly off flan). Vondrovec, type O.IV. Lightly toned. Very fine.


The Sasanian occupation of Bactria lasted only a few years, but their Balkh drachms from the regnal years 9-11 became the prototypes of the local numismatic iconography and were eagerly imitated by the Hephtalite authorities for several decades.