Copper coins of later Hephthalites
from Kashmirsmast & peripheral areas
The copper coinage of later Hephthalites from the Kashmir Smast area in the Frontier Province of Pakistan dates to later half of sixth century to the early half of seventh century AD. This coinage indicates overwhelming Hephthalite and Kushano-Sassanide influence in the drawing of bust, headgear and fire altar; though traces of Parthian, Bactrian, Indo-Greek, Kushan, Scythian and even Roman coin patterns are also visible on some coins from this region. I have tried to highlight, with each image the actual drawing as I could see that on the coin, and also depicted comparison with coins from other series, indicating if those are also available.
The coins weigh about 1 Gramme each. A few are smaller and weigh about 1/10th of the ordinary ones.
I can provide precise weights and measurements upon request.
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001 The coin depicts more than one image on each side. There is a Kushano-Sassanide type of bust left on the obverse. Also there appears to be horseman galloping right on top and a deity standing in front of the king's bust with left hand on hip and right hand (probably) in the altar as it extends downwards. The deity mounts a character from the Brahmi script. On its reverse is Kushan style Goddess Ardoksho seated on throne, cross legged facing. Left hand raised, probably holding globe. Price: $ 75
See somewhat similar obverse bust on the following coin of Hormazd Kushanshah (Available for $ 75):
See also look-alike reverse on the following Kushan gold Stater of King Chhu (Available for $ 325):
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002 This coin is a typical Hephthalite type with bust of King left on the obverse and cursive drawing of fire altar on the reverse. Price: $ 85
Please compare with this Hephthalite coin (Available for $ 120)
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003 On the Obverse, within dotted line drawn around, a horse (right) with its left leg raised. On the reverse unknown motif. Price: $ 75
The horse is similar to that on Hermaeus copper coin like this one (Also available for $ 80)
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004 Obverse: Cursive figure of Deity (Zeus?) or king seated left with arm extended holding staff, a bird seated (Or Nike standing) above the arm. Reverse: Cursive drawing of a sea-shell. Price: $ 65 The idea of king seated on throne left facing appears to have been adopted from Hermaeus coins like this one (Also available for $ 95)
Or copper coin (Shown hereunder) of Soter Megas (Available for $ 80)
However if that is Zeus seated left then the idea comes from much earlier coinage of Bactrian Greek kings, particularly Euthydemos, (Tetradrachm shown below), (Available for $ 450):
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005 Obverse: Bust of king right (Rather cursive drawing) Reverse: Deity walking left with left arm in posture of throwing javelin or thunderbolt. Right arm extended, holding offering tray with skins hanging down. Price: $ 75 A typical imitation of the AR Drachms of Indo-Greek king Menander-I. Those Drachms are also available and scans + prices will be supplied upon request here: |
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006 Obverse: Kushan style king staning facing. Left hand in fire altar. Right arm extended (beyond the flan). Cursive script below both arms. Reverse: Altar mounted by a bird, right with wings flapping. There appear to attendants on the two sides of the altar but those are not clear due worn condition and the weak strike. Price: $ 55 The idea behind this coin appears to have come from two different series, the Kushans and the Hephthalites. The standing figure resembles the King (With his hand in the fire altar) from copper coins of Kanishka as shown here (Available for $ 40):
On reverse the idea of bird upon fire altar comes from Hephthalite countermark (Upon Sassanide coin) like this one (Available for $ 350):
Or like the bird upon the headgear of king on this Kushano Sassanide copper coin of Ardeshir-II (Available for $ 150):
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007 Obverse: Shield with unknown script or monograms on both sides. Reverse: Barbaric drawing and the actual image or drawing cannot be determined with certainty but it appears to be a drawing of Siva and the standing bull type Kushan image. Price: $ 60 The image on reverse is like the one on this Kushan copper coin (Available for $ 45):
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008 Obverse: Chakra or the wheel of fortune. Reverse: Roaring lion of which on the upper fore-part is on the flan while the rest is off flan.
Price: $ 85 The Chakra appears to have come from Hephthalite coin pattern containing one or two Chakras, such as two chakras above the fire altar, depicted on the following Hephthalite copper coin (Available for $ 190):
The roaring lion however appears to resemble those on the coins of Hindu-Shahi kings of Kabul valley from a later period (Seventh century AD). |
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009 Obverse: Fire altar mounted by a seated bird right. On let of the altar a tree or branch. On right bust of king wearing rayed crown facing left. Reverse: Bust of King (Or queen??) left. within dotted circle.
Price: $ 100 |
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010 Obverse: Bust of king right; Reverse: Horse (???) left. The rear part of the Horse is obliterated and anything else cannot be made out.
Price: $ 125 |
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011 Obverse: Bust of king right-facing. Wearing crown and with dotted square. Reverse: The drawing is rather enigmatic and though the coin is well preserved, the image is not understood. Reminds of the thousands of bats hanging in the Kashmirsmast cave.
Price: $ 125 |
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012 Obverse: Bearded bust right; Reverse: Figure standing facing with left arm raised as if throwing a javelin, right side of the figure appears to be behind a shield.
Price: $ 50 |
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013 Obverse: Kushano Sassanide type bearded bust wearing crown right. Reverse: Barbaric drawing. Appear to be two fishes. Price: $ 75
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014 Obverse: Within dotted circle, Kushano Sassani style bust of king wearing crown right. Reverse: Deity standing facing Nike standing on left arm of the deity holding wreath. In the right arm (Also extended) skin (Of Nemean lion???). This pattern appears to be a mix of more than one earlier series' coins. Price: $ 95 The bust resembles that on the AR Drachms of Varahran Kushanshah-III; as per specimen shown below (Available for $ 500):
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015 Obverse: Bust of king left in Kushan style. Reverse: deity standing facing, reclining with right arm on altar or table, left arm extended (Upwards from elbow).
Price: $ 85 |
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016 Obverse: Cursive drawing of human bust right; Reverse: A pot (Or an urn) within dotted circle. Price: $ 55 The style of drawing appear to be similar to that on the copper coins of the most rare Indo-Greek king Dionysis. See the specimen below (Available for $ 200):
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017 Obverse: Bearded bust right. Script in front of the bust has degenerated into lines. Reverse: Bird's forepart within dotted circle (The remaining part is off flan).
Price: $ 65 |
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018 Obverse: Bust right; Reverse: Deity standing within dotted border. (It appears that the figure is holding a serpent around its neck).
Price: $ 130 |
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019 Obverse: Kushano Sassani style bust right. Reverse: Seated bird right mounted on altar. Script degenerated into abstract lines on both sides.
Price: $ 150 |
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020 Obverse: Bust right. Holding some object in extended right hand. Within dotted border, most of which is off flan. Reverse: Deity standing left, crowning own head, all within dotted border, most of which is off flan.
Price: $ 85 |
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021 Obverse: Bust right within dotted circle. Reverse: Within linear border, the Hephthalite (Dragonfly??) Tamgha, and an unknown image (Horse rider left or some other animal ???). Price: $ 75 The small moth like creature appears to have been inspired by the Hephthalite counter-mark shown below (Available for $ 250):
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022 Obverse: Barbaric bust right facing. Reverse: Fore part of the humped bull right.
Price: $ 65 |
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023 Most unusual coin of the series! Obverse: Stallion with saddle left. Cursive script over and below the horse. Reverse: Within dotted circle, Fire altar within degenerated attendant on one side.
Price: $ 200 |
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024 Obverse: Horse rider left with arm extended in Azes style. Reverse: Roaring lion seated left.
Price: $ 75 |
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025 Obverse: Cursive lines; Reverse: Barbaric drawing of bust right.
Price: $ 55 |
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026 Obverse: Within dotted border, bust right wearing Eukratides style headgear; Reverse: Pot or Urn.
Price: $ 105 |
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