HUNNIC TRIBES, Hephthalites. Circa 7th century. Drachm (Silver, 34 mm, 3.19 g, 9 h), Imitating a Khosrau II type drachm with the Post-Yazdgird year 37 (= 627) from the AY (Ērān-Xwarrah-Šābuhr) mint. Draped and crowned bust of Khosrau II to right; behind head, ‘GDE ʾp̄zwt'’ (‘[may his] glory increase’ in Pahlavi); before head, ‘hwslwb’, i.e. ‘Husraw’ (‘Khosrau’ in Pahlavi); Hephthalite tamgha at 2 o’clock and an illegible word at 8 o’clock, possibly Alchono in cursive Bactrian script. Rev. Fire altar with ribbons, flanked by two attendants; to left, date in Pahlavi; to right, AY (abbreviation for the name of the mint in Pahlavi). Zeno 33518. Lightly toned. Areas of weakness, otherwise, very fine.

From the collection of Dr. D. Löer, formed since the 1970s.