Yuezhi, Sapalbizes (Sapadbizes) AR Obol. Late 1st century BC. Helmeted and draped bust right; [CAΠ]AΛBIZHC around / Lion standing right; crescent and Λ above, NANAIA to left and right. Senior A6.1a; HGC 12, 517. 0.36g, 12mm, 12h.

Very Fine. Very Rare.

The two hemidrachms sold in Roma Numismatics E-Sale 60 clearly show that the fifth letter in the name on the obverse is a lambda, not a delta. It is therefore likely that the first prince of the Yuezhi was named Sapalbizes rather than Sapadbizes as previously thought based on more worn examples. There was a tradition of Skythian names with the prefix "Spal" or "Sapal, connecting the word to "the army" which adds strength to this theory.