HUNNIC TRIBES, Western Turks. Tegin, circa 680-700. Drachm (Silver, 30 mm, 3.00 g, 11 h). Draped bust of Tegin to right, wearing winged crown surmounted by double crescent; to right, σριο τογινο βαyo ('His Perfection, Tegin, King' in Bactrian). Rev. Fire altar flanked by two winged attendants with headdresses leaning toward the altarand placing their hands on it; to left and right of the altar shaft, ŠRIMA DEVA PATTAŠRI ('[made] god by Šri, Perfection') in Brahmi. Göbl 206. Vondrovec, Type 206. Very fine.


The reverses of the drachms of Tegin of Khorasan are perhaps the most elaborate and detailed in all of the Western Turkish series. While the winged attendants flanking the fire altar are sometimes described as Kinnaras, mythical half-man and half-bird creatures, the inscription to the left and right of the altar shaft (ŠRIMA DEVA PATTAŠRI) points toward the invocation of a goddess called ŠRIMA.