Catalog
| Issuer | Choresmia (ancient) |
|---|---|
| Year | 250-300 |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
| Value | Tetradrachm (4) |
| Currency | |
| Composition | Silver |
| Weight | 10.77 g |
| Diameter | |
| Thickness | |
| Shape | Round (irregular) |
| Technique | Hammered |
| Orientation | |
| Engraver(s) | |
| In circulation to | |
| Reference(s) | Vainberg#Б2V , Zeno cat#327061 |
| Obverse description | Diademed bearded bust right, with plaited hair, wearing a cap-like headdress surmounted by a seated falcon, all within a bead-and-reel border |
|---|---|
| Obverse script | |
| Obverse lettering | |
| Reverse description | (retrograde)VΩ=VΛV above, wzm`r mlk` in Khwarezmian below, King on horseback right; behind, `swan-shaped` tamgha |
| Reverse script | |
| Reverse lettering |
V(retrograde)VΩ=VΛV wzm`r mlk` (Translation: V(retrograde)VΩ=VΛV King Wazamar) |
| Edge | |
| Mint | |
| Mintage |
ND (250-300) - - |
| Numisquare ID | 4678307280 |
| Additional information |
Historical Context: This silver tetradrachm, minted in ancient Choresmia between 250 and 300 CE, dates to the Middle Period of ruler Wazamar. Choresmia, a strategic Central Asian crossroads, maintained autonomy amidst Parthian, Kushan, and early Sasanian imperial influences. Wazamar’s reign signifies local dynastic assertion, with coinage blending regional traditions and Hellenistic numismatic forms, underscoring economic stability and sovereign authority in a complex geopolitical environment.
Artistry: The artistic execution reflects the syncretic stylistic school characteristic of Choresmian mints. Though engravers are unknown, the obverse typically features a stylized portrait of Wazamar, often with a distinctive diadem combining local regalia and Hellenistic royal iconography. The reverse commonly displays a mounted archer or local deity, executed with varying naturalism. This design often shows a more abstract or hieratic rendering than earlier Hellenistic prototypes, indicative of evolving regional aesthetic preferences.
Technical/Grading: Weighing 10.77 grams, this tetradrachm exhibits a weight standard common for later regional issues, diverging from the classical Attic norm but consistent with the period’s economic realities. For grading, key high-points for wear assessment include the ruler’s facial features (nose, hair, diadem) on the obverse, and the rider's head, horse's forelegs, and bow on the reverse. Technical strike qualities vary, with slight off-centering, minor flan irregularities, and occasional weakness in strike, particularly on the periphery, common for this series.