Hi to all of you.I have started this thread because i want to share and discuss with guys about my coins.I am new to this field therefore would require you valuable suggestions and guidance.Thank you
I wanna say the silver is a Sassanian Drachm but I might be wrong. I also dunno if its real, looks fake. I know I have seen the last copper from Doug, but dont remember what it is.
The first coin is a Nezak Hun, Hepthalite, silver drachm. There were minted around Kabul. The "Hepthalite" designation is somewhat tenuous, as Nezak Hun is a better designation. The reverses are frequently overly worn, this one is actually better than average.
Welcome Medoraman! In my first thread in Introduction section i was told about you to take advice from regarding Kushan greek era coins.Glad to see you here Sir.Could you enlighten us about the elephant coin in 2nd post?what kind of writing is it on that coin? Thanks in advance
I do not believe the elephant coin is Kushan, but Indian from around the 10th century. By then the Kushans were gone. My understanding of the Kushans were they were the greater Yueh-zhi from NW China who were forced out by the "huna", (huns), and took over Central Asia from the Greeks. They themselves were forced out of Central Asia and into India by the Hepthalites in the later 4th Century. As for references, I only have Mitchiner ACW, besides some books that cover a little of them. I would like to know if someone has the definitive Kushan reference as I find myself getting more of these nowadays. I would not recommend Mitchiner because its now older, not very specialized, and pretty expensive. I am sure there are better, but will admit my ignorance right now of what "better" is. If someone names it, I will be sure to go buy it. Chris Edit: Just did some research, and not coming up with much. Michiner ACW is still listed as a citation, (very expensive book, they go for $300+), a German volume, (in german), and an old Lebanese book. CNG does appear to be putting out a book on Persia. We will have to see if this book will have much in the way of Kushan coins. If anyone else has a better suggestion, I am all ears.
The elephant bronze is Shahi of the late first millennium AD. I have a page showing a couple similar and the silver that goes with them. http://www.forumancientcoins.com/dougsmith/bh.html Mitchiner NIS 121-123
All of these would be findable in Afganistan. Right? The first is seen more often in copper but there are silver ones. I lost out on a nice one (with no hole) in the last Frank Robinson sale. They are rare with clear details on the reverse.
Yes all 3 are would be findable in modern Afghanistan. I have 3 types of the large coins, and 2 types of the small ones for these issues. For the large ones, I have good silver, billon, and bronze. For the small ones, thick, heavy coins and thin ones. I think the chronology was good silver large, and thick heavy small, then billon large and thin small, then just bronze large coins. One interesting tidbit is that almost all of the smaller copper coins were struck with these large coins reverses, leaving only a small part of the reverse design on the coins. I think they only had one size reverse punches, and used them for all of their coins. Chris
There is a coin which i found in a village a long time ago.its condition is not good.cant see it clearly,perhaps someone among you could shed some light on it.thanks There is also a locket of necklace..its silver
Actually sir that is a rarer Hepthalite bronze. What makes it unusual is the reverse device. I have seen them, but do not have any. The more common reverse devices is like I said, the same reverse punch that was used for the large coins, so usually all you see is a portion of the central alter. Unfortunately, a lot of soil in this part of the world is either salty or acidic, so brinzes many times do not survive well. Intersting piece. I do not know anything about the locket, sorry.
