Yabghu of Tokharestan, AR drachm, “Hormazd IV” imitation

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Iranian Huns. Western Turk Dynasties. Turk Yabghus in Tokharestan (600-680AD)

AR drachm

3.26 g, 32 – 33 mm

Local imitation of Hormazd IV type (579-590AD). Pahlavi legends before and behind/ fire altar with attendants (arms crossed in wrong direction), Pahlavi mint signature BLH (Balkh) at right, frozen date “11” at left

The Sasanian prototype dated “year 11” of Hormazd IV coincides with the conquest of Balkh by the Western Turks in 588/589AD. Based on a comparison of portraiture evolution between this series and the Arab-Sasanian series, the host coin was struck as an immobilized type into the second half of the 7th cent. AD

OBVERSE: Bust right, designed based on standard drachm of Sasanian Hormazd IV (579-590AD), name coarsely written.  Countermarks: Göbl tamgha KM 14 (11h, attributed to Shahi Tigin), Arabic “jaiz” (1h), human head countermark (5h, not in Göbl)

Human head countermark belongs to a larger group of human head countermarks which were in use until 682AD

“Jaiz”countermark was applied after final conquest of Balkh by Arabs, undertaken by Qutayba ibn Muslim in 705AD

REVERSE: Fire altar with two attendants, blundered mint & date, countermark “φορο”

The “φορο” countermark is attributed to Phromo Kesaro, a vassal or successor of Shahi Tigin. “Phromo Kesaro” is taken to be a title meaning “Caesar of Rome”, likely an honorary epithet awarded by the Byzantine emperor to his Turkic ally in recognition of service against their mutual enemy, the Arabs

Choice VF. Some deposits. RARE

Reference:

Z-327843 (this coin)

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