My most recent arrival is part of why I love Cointalk and chatting with fellow collectors in general so much! Sometimes you see someone post a coin here that you just absolutely, head over heels, fall in love with. I know I have! Just over a year ago, I saw @Finn235 post a coin that for some reason really resonated with me; I shot him a message along the lines of ‘if you ever lose your mind and decide to get rid of that coin, I would be honoured to be first in line’. Turns out he was wanting to further expand into some rarer Roman emperors and, for the right price, he would be willing to let it go! We brokered a deal, which had to be postponed a couple of times due to various factors. But today, it finally arrived! Kingdom of Khwarezm, Sawashfan. AR reduced Tetradrachm (on Dirham standard). Circa mid-eight century AD. Full res. The kingdom of Khwarezm is somewhat obscure; while the role of the later Khwarezmshas in Islamic history is relatively well-known, the period before the Islamic takeover in 995 remains shrouded in mystery. The kingdom was located in the then fertile Khwarezm-oasis, just south of the Aral sea (modern Uzbekistan). The kings of Khwarezm ruled over this fertile stretch of land from their capital Kath, the surrounding endless and isolating seas of sand allowing the distinctive Khwarezmian culture to arise and flourish out of its Iranian ancestor. Huvarazmish was already mentioned as a part of the Achaemenid empire, but throughout history the area generally enjoyed a large degree of independence. Since 305 AD, it had been under the control of the native Afrighid dynasty, with several periods of paying tribute to the Sassanians. Initially they practised Zoroastrianism, but after several Muslim invasions in the eight and ninth century, Islam became increasingly prevalent. The successors of Sawashfan even converting and carrying Muslim names, untill they were conquered in 995 AD. A king list of the 22 kings between 305 AD and 995 AD has survived, although only a handful of the later ones on this list have been positively matched with a name found on their coinage. Besides his coinage and this king list, Sawashfan is also known from a different source: in the Tang dynasty annals we see that in 751 AD, a certain Shaoshefien from Huoxun (Kwarezm) asked the Chinese court for aid. Presumably to aid in fighting the advancing Muslims? On the obverse we see the bust of king Sawashfan in traditional Khwarezmian garb, complete with a fantastic moustache and soul-patch. I can’t even begin to explain why I enjoy this coin this much, but the fabulous headdress certainly plays a part . Behind the head we have a sort of control-symbol; in this case three annulets, but various other symbols, including something that could be interpreted as a Christian cross, are known. The obverse legend consists of his name in Sogdian, which in itself is incredibly fascinating. Sawashfan, ruling in the mid-eight century, is actually the first Khwarezmian king to put Sogdian script on his coins. Interpreting this in the context of the advancing Islam and the Khwarezmian kings increasingly turning their attention to other entities to ensure their survival, from the Chinese emperors to Sogdian merchants, this becomes a quite meaningful aspect of his coinage! On the reverse we have Sawashfan on his trusty steed, brandishing the same headdress and a whip. The inscription around the king is in the local Khwarezmian script, a script related to Sogdian but with strong ties to Aramaic and Pahlavi. The tamgha to the left of the horseman is also just visible, although slightly obscured by what I would describe as a charming double-strike. Sure, the horse looks as if it has a serious neck injury, but in all honesty I think it adds to the charm of the coin! All in all, a really neat coin. I really want to thank @Finn235 from the bottom of my heart for wanting to let it go. It will be cherished for a long while to come and seeing it in hand confirmed just how much I adored the piece. Many thanks! Please post any coins you (indirectly) bought from a fellow CT-member! Or alternatively, more coins from Khwarezm (I know @Pellinore has a nice example of this same type)
Wow, awesome pick-up! I've had my eye on getting one of this type for a while now, and with luck I might be able to add a Khwarezm tet to my Best of 2021 list. For now, my only Khwarezm coin is this much later AE jital of the Islamic Khwarezmshahs:
Oh the irony! I had thought of making @Finn235 an offer on that very coin, well over year ago but never actually did. I’ve been chasing one of the type myself, see my post from just last week: https://www.cointalk.com/threads/my-most-expensive-coin-purchase.370914/#post-5174037 So yea @AnYangMan if you ever lose your mind... jk Well played sir, and a wonderful new addition
Really nice coin. I like the toning a lot. Your explanation and background were quite essential for me to understand why you like it. Also: well, I have a few ... AR sceatta, series D type 2c, sub var 3c. Ex @AnYangMan Henry III, short cross class 7b 1218-42, Ex @AnYangMan (if I remember correctly) Eastern Celts, BI tetradrachm (?). Ex @AnYangMan Iberocelts, Castillo AE semis. Ex @AnYangMan Ptolemy III Euergetes, Alexandria, AE tetrobol. Ex @AnYangMan Phraates, uncertain mint, Elymaian Kingdom. Ex @AnYangMan Amdān Bayān Yahaqbiḍ, Himaryte Kingdom. Ex @AnYangMan ... and also quite some AE greek units, Ex @AnYangMan. You don't really need a PhD in Epidemiology to see a pattern here
That's a beautiful new addition to your collection! I'm glad you and @Finn235 could work out a deal. Coins circulate quite a lot between CT members. I consider that to be good thing – it's nice to get coins from other collectors whom you know to have appreciated them, and equally nice to know that those you decide to sell end up in good hands. Thanks to @Severus Alexander and the fabulous last two AMCC autions, I have quite a number of coins previously owned by other CoinTalkers, including but not limited to these: Lucania, Poseidonia, AR Nomos, ca. 470–445 BC. Obv: ΠΟΣ[ΕΙ] (retrograde); Poseidon walking r., wielding trident, chlamys draped over both arms. Rev: ΠΟΣ[ΕΙ] (retrograde); bull standing l. 19.2mm, 7.83g. Ref: SNG ANS 651–653; HN Italy 1114. Ex AMCC 1, lot 4; ex @zumbly. Hadrian, Roman Empire, AE as, 125–128 AD, Rome mint. Obv: HADRIANVS AVGVSTVS; bust of Hadrian, laureate, r. Rev: COS III; Salus, draped, standing r., feeding snake out of patera; in fields flanking, SC. 26mm, 10.2g. Ref: RIC II Hadrian, 669c. Ex AMCC 1, lot 180; ex @Justin Lee. City Commemorative under Constantine I, Roman Empire, AE 3, 331–334 AD, Cyzicus mint. Obv: CONSTANTINOPOLI; bust of Constantinopolis, laureate, helmeted, wearing imperial cloak, l. holding spear in r. hand. Rev: Victory, winged, draped, standing l. on prow, holding long sceptre in r. hand and resting l. hand on shield; in exergue, SMKE. 18mm, 2.49. Ref: RIC VII Cyzicus 92. Ex @maridvnvm ; ex Forvm Ancient Coins; ex @TheRed; ex AMCC 2, lot 256. Kingdom of England, Edward IV (second reign), AR groat, 1471–1483, London mint. Obv: EDWARD DI GRA REX ANGL Z FRANC, pierced cross with pellet in lower l. angle; saltire stops; crowned bust facing within a tressure of arches, fleurs on cusps, none above crown. Rev: POSVI DEVM ADIVTORE MEVM; long cross, three pellets in each angle, rose after DEVM; CIVITAS LONDON around inner circle. 25mm, 2.90g. Ref: Spink 2098. Ex Berk 201, lot 517; ex @Orfew; ex AMCC 2, lot 314. I also bought some coins from @Valentinian and @Brian Bucklan , whose websites I strongly recommend, and from @Finn235 via ebay: Augustus, Roman Empire, as, 15 BC, Rome mint, moneyer: Lucius Naevius Surdinus. Obv: CAESAR AVGVSTVS TRIBUNIC POTEST, bareheaded head of Augustus right. Rev; L SVRDINUS III VIR AAAFF, large SC. 26mm, 10.62g. Ref: RIC I, 386. Ex @Brian Bucklan. Caracalla, Roman Empire, denarius, 215 AD, Rome mint. Obv: ANTONINVS PIVS AVG GERM; laureate head of Caracalla r. Rev: P M TR P XVIII COS IIII P P; Apollo, naked except for cloak flying behind, standing l., holding branch in extended r. hand and with l. hand lyre set on altar. 21mm, 3.04g. Ref: RIC IV Caracalla 254. Ex @Finn235; ex Leu. Trajan Decius, Roman Empire, AR antoninianus, 249–251 AD, Rome mint. Obv: IMP C M Q TRAIANVS DECIVS AVG, bust of Trajan Decius, draped and radiate, r. Rev: PANNONIAE, the two Pannoniae standing, holding standards. 23mm, 4.14g. Ref: RIC IV,3 Trajan Decius 21b. Ex Warren Esty (@Valentinian); ex PMV Inc., "Late Summer List" 1982, lot 94; ex Dorset County Museum.
I have several ex-CT member coins. Here are just a few. This one came from @zumbly: And this one from @Justin Lee: And this one from @S.Triggs: And this one from @Sallent: And this one from @dougsmit:
Here is a Khwarizmanian bronze of the previous ruler, Kanik, with his own distinctive crown. Ancient Khwarizm, Kanik, the Afrighid dynasty, ca. 700-750 AD, 28mm 4.24g. AE. Obv: MRÝ MLK `k´nyk; Crowned bust right Rev: King on horseback right, holding whip; tamgha to left. Ref: Vainberg type G4.7, cf. The Afrighid dynasty, late 6th C. - AD 995, Kanik, cf. Coins of Khwarezm Kh53
Glad to hear it arrived safely! That is indeed a magnificent coin, although to be honest my focus has been shifting away from "a little of everything" so that I can focus more intensely on my Roman and Indo-Sassanian collections. I did take one last picture before packaging it up And thanks also for the coins you sent as well - they arrived about a week ago China, Warring States Period Chu State AE "ant nose" cowrie imitation Burma, Pyu states AR unit And this is the coin that the funds went to help cover Achulla, Africa P. Quinctilius Varus, as governor, with Augustus, Gaius, and Lucius
Fantastic coin (& great photo), I'm envious! I especially like the portrait and toning. My only Afrighid coin, of Azkatswar "Chegan", who died in 712, overthrown for collaborating with the Arab invaders:
Yes, just like you, I fell in love with this coin type when a seller offered it to me. A large silver coin, it has been rather expensive for years, so I still have only one. Look at that nice mustache! And the whip in the horseman's hand. Khwarezm AR tetradrachm king Sawrshafan, about 700 AD. Obv. Head to right (w. mustache and a little beard (a ‘soul patch’), with thick crown (fur hat?), topped with little curls. In the neck three little ringlets. Text in front. Rev. Horseman to right, brandishing a whip with his left hand. Text around in bold lettering, a tamgha at 10 o’clock. 26.5 mm, 2.73 gr. As for coins bought from fellow CoinTalkers, I have been following JAZ for a long time, the auctions of CoinTalk's house seller, and I bought some nice coins there. This is the nicest Ancient (nice pic, too!): Decentius (350-353), AE maiorina. Obv. Cuirassed bust right, DN DECENTIVS NOB CAES. Rev. Two Victories standing facing one another, holding between them wreath inscribed VOT / V / MVLT / X, supported on short column, VICTORIAE DD NN AVG ET CAE; SP between figures // RSLG. Lugdunum, 351-353. 20 mm, 4.21 gr, 6h. Reference: RIC VIII 137, p. 187. From the YOC Collection. And this one is a favorite, too, one of the Baroque wonders of numismatics. Look at those clouds, a cloud faithfully rendered on a coin! Papal States. Pope Alexander VIII, 1689-1691. Silvered AE medal, 1690. Obv. Tiaraed bust t.r. with ornate pluviale. On the pluviale, there is a picture of Saint Bruno. HAMERAN in small letters below bust; dotted border. ALEXAN· - VIII·PONT:M:A:I·. Rev. Censer puffing out billows of smoke. SVAVITATE. Sculpted by Giovanni Martino Hamerani (1646-1705). 12h, 31 mm, 16.54 gr. Lovely EF. Ex-Kerry Wetterstrom. Suavitate = Pleasantly. To understand this, read this pope's biography.
Thanks all! Glad to see so many coins circulate internally, love that Edward IV @Orielensis ! @Roerbakmix, that AnYangMan dude must have been crazy, getting rid of all of those neat coins. From a reputable source however, I heard that the short cross penny wasn’t his Fantastic Khwarezmians @Pellinore, @Severus Alexander, @Ed Snible and @Parthicus (I absolutely adore that elephant)! There is something tingling to get more of them now…. @Nvb, what are the odds! You must obviously have great taste . I had been in the market for a piece for a while, but the longer I looked, the more I couldn’t find an example I liked as much as Finn’s. Passed on several cheaper ones, as in the end I just kept comparing all to this one and my infatuation with this piece kept growing! There are certainly higher grade examples out there, but I wouldn’t trade this for any of those, irrational as that may be. In other words; you’re first to hear should I lose my mind, but it’s better not to count on that
