Hunnic Tribes, Western Turks. Spur Martan Shah AR Drachm. Uncertain Zabulistan mint, dated year 8 in Pahlavi, circa late 7th century AD. Crowned Sasanian style bust to right; GDH and 'pzwt' to left, 'spwl' ("spur") in Pahlavi to right; "in the name of god, his majesty, the Lord Wahmanaz Martan" in Pahlavi in outer margin / Fire altar with ribbons flanked by two attendants; "fine currency of Spur" in Pahlavi in outer margin. Vondrovec [Göbl, Dok. Em.] Type 211; Leu Web 10, lot 753 (same mintmark, sold for 2,400 CHF). 3.38g, 31mm, 8h.
Extremely Fine. Very Rare.
From a private European collection.
This coin is based on the standard Sasanian drachm of Khosrau II, but has additional legends in the margins on both sides, and a outer 4th circle on the reverse. As Stephen Album Rare Coins notes, this type is quite likely to be transitional between earlier Hephthalite types and a later type depicting the goddess Anahita, also in the name of Sur Martan Shah (Göbl-212/216).