Seven Days Of Ancient India- Day Four: The Hephthalite Huns

Quick background: In the late 5th and early 6th century the nomadic tribes cumulatively called the Huns nearly brought the mighty Sassanid Persian Empire to its knees. The tribe known as the Hephthalites had taken the Prince Kavad hostage and held him for ransom from the then Shah Peroz. Peroz paid many donkey loads of coins for Kavad's safe return. Peroz being a 'hands on' king of Shah, was killed in battle and his army destroyed by the much smaller Hephthalite force. For centuries these Hephthalites would rule Central Asia from the Caucuses to The Indus, and even penetrate India.

Remember those donkey loads of Sassanid coins? Well those coins would we circulated, recirculated, revalued, imitated and copied for the next 1000 years.

This coin one of only a handful of examples comes from the Western portion of India, struck between 550-600 AD.

Hephthalites
Peroz Imitation c. 550-600 AD
AR Drachm 23.5 mm x 4.11g
Pre-Saurashtran Series
Obverse:Bust with Winged skull cap.
Reverse:Corrupt Pahlavi letters fire altar with attendants.
ref: Mitchiner 64
Note: Oober Rare!!