Khwarizm coin

I haven't posted a new purchase for a bit. Here is one I picked up just a little bit ago. I am not happy with the flan of course, but Khwarizm coins aren't the easiest to find with details, (for what I wish to pay anyway). So, this coin was a tradeoff, getting the great details on the portrait in exchange for the flan, at a cheap price.

Anyway, an interesting addition to my Central Asian collection. Most of my money has been going into gold and Thai coins this summer, but I am feeling the ancient bug again.

Edit: As a background, Khwarizm is a Central Asian kingdom at times part of Persia. It lies to the East of the Aral Sea. It is said to be the homeland of the Aryan people. While not Sogdian itself, it is fairly close geographically to Sogdia, so I collect them along with my Sogdian coins. This coin was struck after the Persians had fallen to the muslims, but before the muslim conquered Khwarizm. The was struck under the local ruler Sawshafan in the 8th century.

Numismatically, in this timeframe they struck both silver and copper coins. All have a horse and rider reverse. This area of the world has very acidic soil, and it was not a large kingdom with a great need of coinage, so finding decent examples in either metal is not as easy as finding most other ancient/medieval coins. Many/most examples, if found, are corroded or badly worn. I was quite happy to be able to get this coin in this grade, even with the flan issues, for $50.

 

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Even with the flan issue its a pretty coin. I like it.

 

I agree => it's a great lookin' coin!!

Age, size & weight?

 

Awesome coin!

 

That coin has tremendous character. Well-done!

This is exactly why I had to leave CT for the summer. Now I'm have to spend a few days reading everything I can find on the Khwarizm Empire and its coinage.

 

Here is a bronze I picked up. The porosity is evident in most copper coins from the area. This is not great, but I got this one because again it has better detail than usually seen for the issues. I have some other ones that are much more worn, grading G-VG or so.

 

I have only seen one of these silver coins offered for sale, admittedly it was a bit nicer then yours but it was in the $350 range.

I love yours and I want it for my Central Asia collection!!!

Well done and a gorgeous piece. Very, very interesting place and a better bust!

 

I really like the silver coin. That bust is awesome.

 

If it helps, the country was also called Choresmia in antiquity. Have fun reading.

 

Finding these coins in good shape is hard, i think these 2 have good details, very nice interesting info too!!