Hunnic Tribes, Indian Hephthalites, Alchon Huns, Mihirakula (515-535 AD) Debased Gold Unit. RRRR. Extraordinary Example.

GA-1020

Hunnic Tribes, Indian Hephthalites, Alchon Huns, Mihirakula (515-535 AD) Debased Gold Unit.

(The metal test result shows on this coin, Gold=34.167%, Silver 61.852% and copper 3.976%= Karat: 8.201K). 

 

Bust of king facing right, wearing elaborate Sasanian style headdress, with diadem ties and the back, solar disc at the apex and crescent moon on the forehea, Shaiva-Saura emblem of Trident-Vajradanda with pennants attached at the hilt / Humped bull walking to left, ceremonial ribbons tied to hump fluttering above its tail, star or wheel in lower front, Brahmi legend reading Shri Mihirakula above.

Z-371665 (It's me there 1st), Etremely fine for type with clear legends. Minor hairline mark under cheek. RRRR, of the highest rarity, apparently this is the first specimen known with clear Brahmi legend reading "Shri Mihirakula" an issue of tremendous importance and fascination. Perfectly centred on a full flan and with a lovely iridescent tone. 

 

Please Note: 

This is the first known, an extraordinary example of debased gold coin of the Hunas in India to have come to light. Its obverse is typologically derived from the coins of Sasanian emperor Peroz (459-484AD) who was a close predecessor of the Huna hegemony in India. The reverse bears a majestic bull with a clear Brahmi inscription above it "Shri Mihirakula". 

The symbolism of both the obverse and reverse is closely comparable with the known silver and copper issues of Mihirakula with a strong emphasis on Shaivism. The legend is also comparable to that on a variety of silver drachms of Mihirakula.

Mihirakula was a powerful ruler and under his brief rule the Huna hegemony reached its apogee in mainland India. He was a devout Shaiva as recorded in his inscription at Gwalior. At the zenith of his rule the Huna Empire reportedly covered North India from Kausambi to Northern Gujarat and from Punjab to Malwa. The Hunas were famously defeated by Aulikara king Yashodharman and the Gupta ruler Narasimha Gupta Baladitya. After his defeat, Mihirakula is known to have retreated into Kashmir, where he staged a coup and created trouble for a few years before passing into historical oblivion.
This coin is significant from a number of perspectives. Its type and denomination suggests strong connections to the regions of South Punjab - Northern Sindh, where similar Sasanian-inspired gold coins had already been in circulation. This connection is important because till now there was no clear numismatic link available to suggest the advent of the Hunas into Rajasthan and Malwa. This coin proves that the Hunas were present not only in North and East of the Indus-Ganges Divide, but also to its immediate West, adjoining Rajasthan. Its type and symbolism adds further weight to the religious and social connection of late Gupta period India to the wider Iranian world in terms of religious influence as it shows Solar symbolism of the obverse merging with the Shaiva symbolism of the reverse. The bull depicted is without a doubt a Shaiva bull, but with the ceremonial ribbons attached to it, it is also a sacrificial bull, let free to roam at will with a Brahmanic ritual such as Wrushotsarga. Its large hump signifies virility and masculinity, qualities which indirectly also allude to its issuer. For these reasons such coins, the birth place most likely to be Sindh/Punjab or Multan.