Sale: CNG 63, Lot: 914. Estimate $750.  Closing Date: Wednesday, 21 May 2003.  Sold For $700. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

NEZAK HUNS. Vilurayukari(?). Period of Sahi Tigin. Circa late 7th-early 8th century AD. AR Drachm (3.27 gm). Struck circa 710-720 AD. Bust right wearing crown with lion's head; legend "Sri Vilurayukari Varu" / Fire altar with attendants; wheel or solar device above each attendant's head. Göbl, Hunnen -; Göbl, Supplementa Orientalia III, Em. 314, pl. II, 14. Good VF, reverse partially encrusted, spots on obverse. Rare. ($750)

This example is probably the finest known, despite the encrustation. The reverse is nicely struck. A similar piece sold for $1,250 in CNG 60 (22 May 2002), lot 1086. The animal head in the crown is very likely a panther or lion rather than a boar, as labeled by Göbl.