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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