Hun Warlord Phromo Kesaro - Countermarked Hormizd IV Imitation

Another purchase from a while ago. Seller had a few; I bid one up and then bought this one for a very good deal

Western Turks or Huns (Goturk Khaganate?)
AR Drachm, imitative of Hormizd drachm, Balkh mint, RY 11 (589 AD)
Countermark bust of Phromo Kesaro left
Countermark Bactrian "PHORO"
Countermarks from c. 650-750?





Detail of the face


During the 6th century AD, Eastern Central Asia came under the rule of the Goturk Khaganate, a nomadic empire headed by proto-Mongol chiefs. They expanded to the boundary of the Hepthalite Hun empire, and entered into an alliance with the Sassanians, defeating the Huns by c. 560. The Persians got their revenge for the grave insult inflicted a century earlier with the death of Peroz, and the Turks expanded while cutting yet another intermediary from the Silk Road.

In truth, I can't find a historical source for "Phromo Kesaro". I have read that it might be a version of the honorific "Caesar of Rome", either bestowed by the Byzantines as a show of friendship, or perhaps a flaunt of victory, as in the Seljuks of Rum (Rome) or the Ottoman title Kayser-i Rum.

It is known that the Sassanians and Western Turks warred over their borders, and Hormizd was able to briefly re-take Balkh around 589, but the region was recaptured a year or so later. Likely, Hormizd may have ordered a large mintage of coins to attempt to stabilize the region, and the coins (possibly dies as well) then fell into enemy hands. I am not aware of any such imitations without the Phromo Kesaro countermarks, although some carry an additional tamgha mark.