Lands of Asia layouts (Eng) 26.11.21

part ii | states
There is little consensus among scholars about the place and period of issue of
the Vakhshuvar coins, although E.V. Zeymal and I.M. Dyakonov believe them to be
Early Parthian (Arsacid), like Andragoras coins, dating from the middle of the 3rd
century BC. However, I.R. Pichikyan believes that these coins are of Bactrian origin
and are the coins of Vakhshuvar Oxyartes, whose daughter Roxana married Alexander
the Great and who, according to Arrian, became a satrap of Paropamisadai following
the death of Alexander. However, it is possible that in addition to Paropamisadai, he
also controlled Northern Bactria, the core region of his possessions. It is in this area, in
Northern Bactria, in the Baisun mountains, but northwest of Denau that a kishlak called
Vakhshuvar is situated, i.e. with the same name as on the above-mentioned coins.
We have also noted a similar place name in the Babatag mountains on the road to
Chagam.
According to V.A. Livshits, the word Vakhshuvar itself (of which the Greek
derivative is the name Oxyartes) means ‘chosen by (the god) Vakhshu’ (or ‘believing
in the god Vakhshu, protected by the god Vakhshu’). Surveys carried out by this
author in Vakhshuvar village found the site of Sartepa here, the lower layer of which
dates from the first half to the middle of the 1st millennium BC. It is possible that this
very place, which has retained its ancient name for more than two thousand years,
was the main residence of the Bactrian aristocrat Vakhshuvar Oxyartes, and the Rock
of Oxyartes was also located here.
The second stage of the third period is characterised by further development
of money relations in Transoxiana, along with expansion of the region and the
incorporation of new areas, in particular Bukhara, into money relations; expansion
of the sphere within which coins were used; the appearance of the first coin hoards,
testifying to the existence of large amounts of money owned by specific individuals;
and the appearance of the first Sogdian and Bactrian imitations of Seleucid and Graeco-
Bactrian coins as the first stage in the emergence of independent minting in Transoxiana.
The variety of weight standards used for silver and copper coins in circulation
(tetradrachms, drachmas, oboli, chalcoi, dichalcoi) minted under the Attic system
is an indicator of the apparent progress of commodity-money relations, the use of
coins as means of payment and circulation, and probably also as treasure. Large-scale
trade transactions, including international and interregional ones, were conducted
using silver coins of high value. In Northern Bactria and partially in Sogdia, money
relations were also used for small-scale trade between cities and small settlements.
Evidence of this comes from the finds of coins at many sites and settlements in the
southern and central regions of Transoxiana.
Northern Bactria. Nearly 100 silver and copper Graeco-Bactrian coins of various
denominations have been found here. They include coins of Diodotus, Euthydemus,
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