HUNNIC TRIBES, Western Turks. Sandan, Lord of the Oxus, circa 690-730. Drachm (Silver, 30 mm, 4.15 g, 11 h), uncertain mint in Bactria, circa 690-730. ŠRI CANDANA VAKHUDEVAH ('His Perfection Candana, Lord of the Oxus' in Brahmi) in outer margin, 'σρι βαyo αζρoβδδiyo σαvδαvo βαyo χoαδηo ('His Perfection, the Lord, the Chiliarch Sandano, His Perfection, the Lord' in Bactrian) Draped bust of Sandan to right, wearing earrings and an elaborate crown with two pelleted crescents, two symmetrical wings and a lion's head on top; in the outer margin, uncertain countermark. Rev. 'σρι βαyo δδηβοο βαγδδιγγο καγαvο σρι βαyo' ('His Perfection, the Lord, his Majesty, the Bactrian Kagan, His Perfection, the Lord' in Bactrian) Fire altar flanked by two attendants; in upper left field, six-pointed star; in upper right field, crescent; to left, AFZUT ('may increase' in Pahlawi; to right, GDH ('kingship' in Pahlawi) and an unidentified word. Göbl 244. Vondrovec, Type 244. Minor flan crack, otherwise, about very fine.


Sandan's identity is shrouded in mystery, but the titles 'Bactrian Kagan' and 'Lord of the Oxus' allow us to locate his kingship in Bactria, whose multiculturalism is reflected in the use of no less than three different languages and scripts on this coin (and, of course, in the use of the title 'Chiliarch', an old Greek military rank designating the commanding officer of 1000 soldiers). Of particular interest is the small piece of copper on the obverse, which is almost always found on the neck of the Lord. Its exact meaning is unknown: perhaps it was a procedure to raise the value of the coin, or to guarantee its authenticity.