Bust facing three-quarters to the right, wearing a had with a face?/ Uncertain Sogdian legend (possibly "stcry tδwn γwβ" - "Ruler Tudun Satachari", as read by Smirnova)) around an angular tamgha with a star in the middle. 20mm, 2.03 grams. Shagalov/Kuznetzov #219.

Very nice quality coin, with clear facial features. On this type, the hat which the ruler is wearing looks like it has a face - a nose and a beard, as well as the hair are clear. Its' been speculated that this ruler wore a hat made out of a facial skin of another man. This hat depiction remains unique within the Chach series.

Chach was an ancient and early medieval region in Central Asia, centered around the area of modern-day Tashkent in Uzbekistan. Known from Chinese, Arabic, and Persian sources, Chach existed as an independent or semi-independent principality from at least the 5th century CE and was often ruled by local kings known as Ikhshids. Strategically located along the Silk Road, it became an important center for commerce, agriculture, and cultural exchange, blending Iranian, Turkic, and Sogdian influences. Chach maintained its autonomy despite being influenced by larger empires such as the Hephthalites, Western Turkic Khaganate, and the Tang dynasty, which occasionally claimed suzerainty. It was known for its coinage, urban development, and diverse population practicing Zoroastrianism, Buddhism, and local religions. In the early 8th century, Chach was conquered during the Muslim expansion into Transoxiana, becoming part of the Umayyad Caliphate, and gradually integrated into the Islamic cultural world. Its legacy survives in the archaeological remains around Tashkent and in medieval historical texts.