KHWARAZMIA. King Sawshafan, circa 751-762. Drachm (Silver, 26 mm, 2.64 g, 6 h). Draped bust of Sawshafan to right with a large necklace, wearing Khwarazmian royal head-dress; before head, ‘šʾwšprn’, i.e. ‘Šāwašfarn’ (‘Sawshafan’ in Sogdian); a cross-like symbol behind head; an annulet above. Rev. King on horseback to right; Khwarazmian tamgha to left; around, ‘MRʾY MLKʾ syʾwršprn’, i.e. ‘βēndak šāh Syāwaršfarn’ (‘Lord [and] King Sawshafan’ in Khwarazmian). Kuznetsov Group 3. Lurje 1160. Vainberg Type Γ V. Very rare and nicely toned. Areas of weakness, otherwise, very fine.


King Sawshafan was one of the last non-Muslim rulers of the large oasis of Khwarazmia in western central Asia, an important station on the Silk Road.