Indo-Sasanian. Early period (c. 6th century CE). AR drachm (3.85 g). Obverse: Somewhat degraded Sassanian-style bust, similar to Peroz. Reverse: Degraded fire altar with two attendants. Mitchiner -. This coin: Marc R. Breitsprecher, 2024. Coins of the Sasanian Persian empire circulated widely beyond their borders, and were extensively imitated and copied, even centuries after the last Sasanian emperor was dead. In the last few years I've started collecting avidly in the Arab-Sasanian series of coins which were issued by the expanding Islamic state during the Rashidun and early Umayyad Caliphates. Sasanian coins were also copied by the various Hunnic and Turkic tribes in Central Asia, and by a number of groups in India. When I first saw this coin listed for sale, I thought it was most likely a Hunnic/Hephthalite issue based on style. However, the seller (Marc R. Breitsprecher) had it listed as Indo-Sasanian, and an old sales ticket from Stephen Album that accompanied the coin also attributes it to an uncertain Indo-Sasanian group. Although I have not found an exact match either in reference books or online searches, there are some very similar early Indo-Sasanians, so I think the attribution is likely. The Indo-Sasanian series continued for several centuries, eventually leading to coins where you'd struggle to discern any trace of a portrait. Although not much can be said historically without a more precise attribution, I still like the look of this coin, and it was reasonably priced, so I am happy to add it to my collection. Please post your Indo-Sasanian coins.
India Period of Pratihara Supremacy, Pratitkara - Pala (c. 780-980 AD) AR Drachm 19.1 mm x 21.5 mm x 4.13 g Anonymous Issue Obv. Stylized bust of Firuz with a turreted and winged crown. SRI DAMA in Brahmi. Rev. Stylized Zoroastrian fire alter with attendants on both sides. The reference was given as...Mitchiner 364 by a reputable dealer. The dealer did say that the coins of this type were of unknown provenance and that they were found in Gujarat and Malwa but no one knows who issued them.
Your Hunnic/Hephthalite speculation is well-founded. The Sasanian king Peroz was captured by the Hephthalites and ransomed in silver drachms, draining the treasury. The Hunnic invasion of India via the Khyber Pass in the late 5th century created a pathway by which these Sasanian drachms of Peroz flowed southward from Bactria as far as western India (Gujarat, Malwa), where they served as a local prototype for some 800 years. One can follow the evolution of the Indo-Sasanian type, step by step, from official coins of Peroz to the terminal "Gadhaiya Paisa" types of the 13th century.
This is all very interesting. The source for many of these types is indeed Peroz whose ransom was paid out by the donkey load. I think it is important to post the Peroz drachm in question. Peroz I r. AD 459-484
Here is another Peroz Imitation much later. Kobadien, Northern Tokharistan, Xionite Huns AR Drachm 30 mm x 2.87 grams Struck AD 680-720 Obverse: Crowned Bust of Peroz flanked by Tamghas- Countermark, Forepart horse, Circular symbol, Human head wearing pom pom hat-Cursive Bactrian Greek- ALChOON Reverse: Zoroastrian Fire Altar flanked by two attendants. Countermark Reclining Camel, Human head wearing Satrapal Cap. ref# cf.Gobl 72/73 Note: Rare, Silk Road Coin.
Here is another coin related to the original posting coin. Yet another degraded Peroz bust. North and Central India Hephthalites or Gurjaras Anonymous (s.AD 550-600) AR Drachm 23.8 mm x 4.00 grams Obverse: Crowned Bust of Peroz with winged skull cap. Unreadable crude legend. Reverse: Crude Zoroastrian fire altar. Flanked by two attendants. ref: MACW 1479-1482 Note: Rare. Beautiful Well centered nearly complete example. Ex. Dr. Alex Fishman
