2020-11-06 Fri

The Hephthalites are also known as Ephthalites; sometimes they are also called White Huns. They were the people of largely nomadic peoples who were a part of the Hunnic tribes of Central Asia from 5th to 8th Century CE. According to the Chinese chronicles; originally they used to live in the north of the Great Wall and were known as Hoa or Hoadun. The Hephthalites were part of the four major states referred to collectively as Xyon. They are generally referred to as White Huns to distinguish them from other Huns, especially the ones who, led by Atilla, invaded the Roman Empire.

This billon drachm that weighs around 3.68g was issued by king Napki Malik during his rule in Hepthalite. The obverse of this coin is inscribed as ‘crowned bust of the ruler to right, with winged headdress surmounted by a bull’s head and Pahlavi legend to the right’. The reverse of this coin is inscribed as ‘fire altar flanked by two attendants and a wheel above each attendant’.

Image Courtesy: Todywalla Auction