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1 Cash - Vuzurg Samarqand, with hole
| Issuer | Samarqand, Kingdom of |
|---|---|
| Year | 645-650 |
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| Composition | Log in to see details |
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| Diameter | 24 mm |
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| Obverse description | Central square hole flanked by Sogdian inscriptions in the field, with the legend disposed above and below the perforation. The characters are rendered in the Sogdian script and read 'MLK` wtznwtrk', translating as 'King Vuzurg'. The flat, unadorned field displays no additional decorative elements, reflecting the austere aesthetic typical of early medieval Sogdian coinage. |
|---|---|
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| Reverse description | Central square hole with the dynastic tamgha of Samarqand positioned to the left of the perforation in the field, and a secondary auxiliary tamgha placed to the right. These symbolic devices serve as dynastic and regional identifiers characteristic of Sogdian coinage of this period. The field is otherwise plain, with no additional inscription or decorative border. |
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| Additional information |
Samarqand in the mid-seventh century was caught between the dying Sasanian Empire and the rapid westward advance of the early Islamic Caliphate. These cash-type bronzes with central holes reflect the persistent influence of Chinese monetary conventions filtering through the Sogdian trade network — Samarqand sat at the commercial crossroads linking Tang China with the Iranian world. The specific designation "Vuzurg Samarqand" identifies the issuing authority as the great lord of Samarqand, a Sogdian ruler operating under increasing military pressure from Arab forces that would take the city definitively by 712.