© Heritage Auctions
© Heritage Auctions
1 Drachm Napki Malka
| Billon | 3.6 g | - |
| Issuer | Nezak Huns (Hunnic tribes) |
|---|---|
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
| Years | 630-711 |
| Value | Drachm (1) |
| Currency | Drachm (450-700) |
| Composition | Billon |
| Weight | 3.6 g |
| Shape | Round (irregular) |
| Technique | Hammered |
| Demonetized | Yes |
| Updated | 2024-10-10 |
| Numista | N#85459 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 84% |
Reverse
Fire altar between two attendants; either side of flames, wheel symbols
Comment
You can find the makers of this coin referred to as Hunas, Indo-Hepthalites, Turco-Hepthalites, Nezak Huns or sometimes White Huns. "Nezak Malka" the legend on this coin, is probably a title, not the name of a king. The Nezak Malkas were a Turco-Hephthalite dynasty who ruled Kabul, Ghazni and Gandhara as vassals of the Western Turk Yabghu enthroned at Qunduz. In 711, the scion of the junior branch of the Nezak dynasty in Zabulistan unseated his relative, the Nezal Malka at Kabul. In recent years, the dating of these coins has been placed firmly in the 7th century rather than the 6th as previously thought (Gobl, Mitchiner, etc), thus placing the Nezak "Huns" in the Turkic period rather than the Hephthalite.Interesting fact
One interesting fact about the Nezak Huns' 1 Drachm coin is that it features a unique blend of Greek and Hun influences in its design. The obverse side of the coin bears the image of a crowned king, likely representing the Hunnic ruler, while the reverse side features a stylized depiction of a lion, which was a common motif in ancient Greek coinage. This fusion of design elements reflects the cultural exchange and blending that occurred during the period of Hunnic rule in the region.
