HUNNIC TRIBES, Western Turks. Sandan, Lord of the Oxus, circa 690-730. Drachm (Silver, 31 mm, 3.00 g ), mint in Bactria, circa 690-730. ŠRI CANDANA VAKHUDEVAH ('His Perfection Candana, Lord of the Oxus' in Brahmi); in outer margin, 'σρι βαyo αζρoβδδiyo σαvδαvo βαyo χoαδηo ('His Perfection, the Lord, the Chiliarch Sandano, His Perfection, the Lord' in Bactrian) Draped bust of Sandan to right, wearing earrings and an elaborate crown with two pelleted crescents, two symmetrical wings and a lion's head on top; on his neck, uncertain countermark. Rev. 'σρι βαyo δδηβοο βαγδδιγγο καγαvο σρι βαyo' ('His Perfection, the Lord, his Majesty, the Bactrian Kagan, His Perfection, the Lord' in Bactrian) Fire altar flanked by two attendants; in upper left field, six-pointed star; in upper right field, crescent; to left, AFZUT ('may increase' in Pahlawi; to right, GDH ('kingship' in Pahlawi) and an unidentified word. Göbl 244. Vondrovec, Type 244. With Countermark. Beautifully toned. Two minor edge cracks and the flan somewhat wavy, otherwise, about very fine.
Sandan's identity is shrouded in mystery, but the titles 'Bactrian Kagan' and 'Lord of the Oxus' allow us to locate his kingship in Bactria, whose multiculturalism is reflected in the use of no less than three different languages and scripts on this coin (and, of course, in the use of the title 'Chiliarch', an old Greek military rank designating the commanding officer of 1000 soldiers). |