Hephthalites (White Huns) Silver AR Drachm (457-484 AD) VG-XF

Product Details

The White Huns where at constant war with the Sassanian Empire and would also make attacks into Byzantine territory over their lives. These coins are highly reminiscent of Sysanian issues and where struck to resemble Sassanid coinage.

Coin Highlights:

Issued by the Hephthalites (White Huns) circa 457–484 AD. AR Drachm imitating Sasanian issues of King Peroz I.

Struck in silver on a reduced weight standard typical of Central Asian imitations. Obverse: Stylized bust of Peroz I right, wearing winged crown with ribbons.

Reverse: Fire altar flanked by attendants, reflecting Sasanian Zoroastrian iconography. Represents a transitional fusion of Iranian royal imagery and steppe nomadic artistry.

During the 5th century AD, the Hephthalites—also known as the White Huns—rose to dominance across Central Asia, adopting and adapting the powerful Sasanian monetary system. Their imitative silver drachms preserved the familiar iconography of the Persian kings while reflecting local engraving styles and weight standards.

This example, modeled after the coinage of Peroz I, captures the intersection of imperial influence and frontier independence. Its distinctive stylization and historic context make it an exceptional artifact of the post-Sasanian frontier economy—add this remarkable ancient silver drachm to your collection today.