Hunnic Tribes, later Hephthalites, uncertain king. “Jayatu”. (Circa Mid to late 6th century AD). BI Drachm
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GA-807
Hunnic Tribes, later Hephthalites, uncertain king. “Jayatu”. (Circa Mid to late 6th century AD). BI Drachm
(Metal is uncertain, probably Copper with small amounts of silver and possibly trace amounts of gold.)
5.13gm, 22.8mm, Later Hephthalites of Pakistan / Northern India.
Crowned bust right, crown decorated with lunar crescent, Brahmi "Jayatu" before face / Blank.
Zeno-356388 (It's me there) / Cf. Alram, Alchon 52-58 and 59-6. Good very fine, beautifully toned with reddish surfaces.
Notes:
The precise attribution of this rare issue remains controversial. The fabric most closely resembles that of the debased Kidarite gold staters produced at Taxila and in Kashmir. Little, if any, gold remains in the alloy. The portrait very closely resembles those of Gobl's “Narana-Narendra”. The title “Jayatu” means “Victorious” and was used by several Hephthalite rulers. This “Narana-Narendra” is perhaps the Kashmir king Narendraditya Khinkhila who extended his kingdom West into Afghanistan and was permitted to retain Gandhara at the time of the Turkic conquest by agreeing to relinquish Kabul.
The stylistic links to the other types secure the time period of the Nezak incursion and either the regions Kashmir (by legend) or Ghanzi (by style). Although Em. 150 is attributed to Narana/Narendra, this coin suggests that it may have been in progress prior to the period of Mihirikula, or at least simultaneously.