HUNNIC TRIBES, Hephthalites. Circa 7th century. Drachm (Bronze, 30 mm, 2.85 g, 3 h), imitating an issue of the Sasanian King Peroz I (457/9-484) from Balkh, probably Termez. Draped bust of Peroz I to right, wearing mural crown with korymbos set on crescent; in outer margin, two differing tamghas and two countermarks of a lion head and a helemeted human head; in the lower part of the margin, [ιοομο ('ioomo') in Bactrian. Rev. Stylized Sasanian fire altar flankend by two attendants; in outer margin, countermarks: human head and griffin. Göbl 289. Vondrovec, Type 289. Patina stripped, otherwise, very fine.


This type was perhaps issued in Termez by the Hephthalites after they were expelled from Baktria following a defeat in 561/2 by the joint forces of the Sasanian Emperor Khosrau I and the Western Turkic Khaganate.