Hephthalites: Vasu Deva (early 7th Century) AR Tri-lingual Drachm (Göbl Hunnen Em.244, MACW-1560)

Obverse: Bust of Vasu Deva right in Persian style. Bull head above crown ; tamgha countermark, gold plug countermark. Brahmi legend in field. Cursive Bactrian Greek Legend around.
Reverse: Zoroastrian fire altar and attendants. Pahlavi legend in fields, Cursive Bactrian Greek Legend around.


HUNNIC TRIBES, Western Turks. Sandan, Lord of the Oxus, circa 690-730. Drachm (Silver, 31 mm, 3.26 g, 12 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; on his neck, a small piece of copper. 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. Very fine.