Western Turks, AE drachm, Khalaj, Siva reverse

Iranian Huns. Western Turks. The Khalaj (late 5th cent. AD)

AE drachm (2.31 g, 23 – 25 mm)

The Khalaj were a Turkic or possibly Iranic-speaking group originally associated with Central Asia, later becoming known for their presence in eastern Iran and northern Afghanistan. By the late 5th century AD, they were emerging as a distinct polity under the broader influence of the Hephthalites and later the Western Turkic Khaganate (6th–7th centuries AD)

Coins and material culture attributed to the early Khalaj are rare and often debated among scholars, with their bracteates or imitative coinage showing stylistic continuity with Hephthalite and Sasanian prototypes—often featuring crowned busts, fire altars, and pseudo-legends in Bactrian

OBVERSE: Crowned bust right, imitating Sasanian King Peroz I (438-457AD)

REVERSE: Siva standing facing, holding trident. Bactrian inscription “χαλαγγ” or “χαλασσ” (Khalass = Khalaj)

Local tribes like the Khalaj struck coins reflecting a blend of Sasanian, Hephthalite, and Indian religious imagery, including depictions of Siva—a rare but notable feature in Turkic numismatics, underscoring the religious and cultural plurality of the region

According to K.Vondrovec work “Coinage of Iranian Huns..”, p. 555, this coin belongs to Western Turks Period

Choice VF. Nice, deep brown & green patina. Extremely RARE

References:

Z-142651 (this coins)

cngcoins.com (similar type sold)

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