1 Obol - Mavak Bukhara Sogd; simple fire altar
| Silver | 0.63 g | 11 mm |
| Issuer | Bukhara Sogd (ancient) (Sogdiana (ancient)) |
|---|---|
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
| Years | 400-420 |
| Value | Obol (⅙) |
| Composition | Silver |
| Weight | 0.63 g |
| Diameter | 11 mm |
| Shape | Round (irregular) |
| Technique | Hammered |
| Demonetized | Yes |
| Updated | 2024-10-09 |
| Numista | N#198789 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 97% |
Reverse
Simple fire altar surrounded by Sogdian legend.
Script: Sogdian
Lettering: MR'Y mw'k
Translation: Lord Mavak
Edge
Plain
Comment
The difference between the simple and detailed fire altars is most noticable in the flames: in the simple ones, the flame looks like to peaks; in the detailed ones, there are multiple curved lines.Interesting fact
One interesting fact about this coin is that it features a simple fire altar, known as a "Mavak," which was an important symbol in ancient Sogdian culture. The fire altar was believed to represent the divine fire that was said to have descended from the heavens and was considered a symbol of purity, light, and spiritual guidance. The inclusion of this symbol on the coin highlights the cultural and religious significance of the fire altar in Sogdian society during this time period.