Human-Headed Crown

Sale: Triton XII, Lot: 460. Estimate $2000.  Closing Date: Monday, 5 January 2009.  Sold For $1200. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

HUNNIC TRIBES, Nezak Huns. Phromo Kesoro(?). Æ Obol (0.41 g, 9h). ΦOP OHH(?) in Bactrian down right, crowned bust right, wearing earring and necklace; crown in the form of a human head with long mustache / Facing draped and diademed bust, surmounted by cross (or star); diadem ends displayed; cross (or star) above right shoulder; tamgha(?) to right. Göbl, Dokumente -; cf. Göbl, SO 3, Em. 246A (for rev. type and tamgha); Zeno 36950 (this coin). Good VF, areas of dark brown and green patina. Unique.

While the general reverse type and the tamgha are known on drachms of Phromo Kesoro, the obverse is completely different, and the human-headed crown on this obol is a type completely unknown to Göbl and Alram. The inclusion of crosses on the reverse lends a potentially Byzantine quality to the coins, yet it remains speculative whether the influence is conscious or serendipitous.