Sassanian silver drachm of Kushru II (590-628 AD) with FOUR Hephthalite countermarks

The Hephthalite empire covered much of central Asia and became established in the region from around the mid-fifth century AD. Little is known about them and contemporary accounts are sparse and often contradictory. But it does seem the Hephthalites (also known as White Huns) were a powerful military force, proving more than a match against the Sassanians and the Gupta Empire of India (240-550 AD). By the early 9th century, no more is heard of the Hephthalite empire, nor are their countermarked coinage known after that period. The prevalence of Sassanian coins with Hephthalite countermarks would be due to the vast quantities paid to them by way of tribute, war booty and ransoms.

Although the Hephthalites struck their own coinage modelled on the Sassanian silver drachms of Peroz (459-484 AD), it is their countermarked coins that are most prevalent. There are many designs of Hephthalite countermarks but their exact meanings are unknown. It’s likely the Hephthalites overstruck silver coins that came their way to signify the coins were of sufficient quality and purity to pass current within the their empire. The countermark symbols were usually struck into the coin’s margin. Sassanian, Arab-Sassanian and Arab silver coins were countermarked by the Hephthalites, with Sassanian drachms being the most commonly found, especially those of Kushru II.

It is rare to find a Hephthalite coin with three countermarks but much rarer to find four. Also, gouge marks are often seen on the reverse side of countermarked coins, these may be test marks used to determine if the coin was solid silver or just plated. Three parallel gouge marks are seen on this coin.

Size: 31mm across.
Weight: 3.91g
Composition: High grade silver.
Mintmark: Nahr-Tire.
Regnal year: Insufficient detail to confirm.

en.unesco.org/silkroad/sites/silkroad/files/knowledge-ban... (About the Hephthalites).

www.numisbids.com/n.php?p=lot&sid=528&lot=137 (An Umayyad silver dirham of Al-Walid I (705-715 AD), probably a Hephthalite countermark).

This coin sold on eBay 24th January 2016 for £113.00 + p&p (item 281911699547). My thanks to the seller (amorepiccino) for permission to reproduce his coin photos.

Taken on: February 4, 2016

Tags:

Hephthalite empire

Sasanian

White Huns

countermarks

coinage

countermarked coins

Arab-Sassanian

Kushru II

silver drachms « less

Sets appears in: • COINS & TOKENS

Groups appears in: • Ancient Coins • Sassanian Empire

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