|
| |
Bactrian and Indo-Scythian Kingdoms
| Diodotos I and
II: c.250 BC |
 |
Bactrian and Indo-Scythian Kingdoms, Diodotos I and II (in the name of Antiochos II Theos of Seleukid Kingdom), AV
Stater,
c. 250 BC
(No legend)
Diademed head of Diodotos I or II right
ANTIOXOU | BASILEWS
Bearded Zeus, nude, seen from rear, advancing left, throwing thunderbolt with his raised right hand, aegis covering extended left arm, eagle
with spread wings standing left before at feet
N in left field
18.46mm, 8.37g
Mitchiner 39, Type 63a; Newell, ESM 713
Ex Glenn Woods
Image courtesy of Lawrence Woolslayer Collection
Note: Around 250 BC, Diodotus I, governor of the Seleucid kingdom in Bactria, began to secede from the Seleukid Kingdom and establish an
independent kingdom in Bactria. His coinage reflects the different phases - at first, he replaced the portrait of Antiochos II Theos
(261-246 BC) with his own and maintained the name of his sovereign on the reverse. In the second phase, he replaced the name of the Seleukid
ruler with his own. Sources state he had a son having the same name, thus making it impossible to assign issues in the name of Diodotus between
father and son.
|
| Demetrios I:
c.200-185 BC |
 |
Bactrian and Indo-Scythian Kingdoms, Demetrios I, AR Tetradrachm,
c.200-185 BC
(No legend)
Diademed, draped bust right wearing elephant-skin headdress
DHMHTRIOU | BASILEWS
Herakles standing facing, crowning himself with right hand, club and lion
skin in left hand
Monogram in lower left field
32mm x 33mm, 16.28g
Bopearachchi Série 1F; SNG ANS 190
|
| Ailis: c.180-150 BC |
 |
Bactrian and Indo-Scythian Kingdoms, Ailis, AE 22, c.180-150 BC
(No legend)
Jugate heads of the Dioscuri right, wearing wreathed caps
[B]ASILEWS AILIOS
Jugate heads of the horses of the Dioscuri right
Monogram in exergue
20mm x 22mm, 7.82g
cf. SNG Stancomb 320; SNG BM --; cf. Canarache 34
|
| Eukratides: c.171-165 BC |
 |
Bactrian and Indo-Scythian Kingdoms, Eukratides, AR Obol, 171-165 BC, Balkh Mint
(No legend)
Diademed, draped bust right
EUKRATIDOU | BASILEWS
Pilei of the Dioscuri, vertical palm to right of each
Mint mark in lower left field
11mm x 12mm, 0.66g
Mitchener 1721; Bopearachchi Série 13/17
|
 |
Bactrian and Indo-Scythian Kingdoms, Eukratides, AE Quadruple Unit (Indian Standard), 171-165 BC
BASILEWS-MEGALOU-EUKRATIDOU
Helmeted bust right
Karosthi legend above and beneath
The Dioskouroi on horseback prancing right, each holding spear and palm
Monogram | E across fields
21mm, 8.15g
Sear GCV, Vol II, 7582; Mitchiner 190k; BMC India 16, 36
Ex Harlan J Berk, CICF show, April 2000
|
| Antimachos: c.171-160 BC |
 |
Bactrian and Indo-Scythian Kingdoms, Antimachos, AR Drachm, 171-160 BC, Taxila-Pushkalavati
Mint
BASILEWS NIKHFOROU ANTIMOXOU
Nike advancing left, wreath downward in left hand, vertical palm in right,
mint mark in left field
Kharoshthi script (Maharajasa Jayadarasa Antimkasa)
Antimachos in military dress, transverse spear in left hand, charging
right on horseback
17mm, 2.45g
Mitchener 1672;
Bopearachchi Série 1/9
|
| Apollodotus I:
c.160-150 BC |
 |
Bactrian and Indo-Scythian Kingdoms, Apollodotus I, AR Drachm, 160-150 BC, Taxila
Mint
BAΣIΛEΩΣ-AΠOΛΛOΔOTOY-ΣΩTHPOΣ
Elephant standing right, AI below
Kharoshthi script (Maharajasa Apaladatasa tratasara)
Humped bull standing right, A below
15mm x 17mm across the flats, 2.38g
Mitchener 1754;
Bopearachchi Série 4
|
 |
Bactrian and Indo-Scythian Kingdoms, Apollodotus I, AR Drachm, 160-150 BC, Taxila
Mint
BAΣIΛEΩΣ-AΠOΛΛOΔOTOY-ΣΩTHPOΣ
Elephant standing right, KP ligate below
Kharoshthi script (Maharajasa Apaladatasa tratasara)
Humped bull standing right, C below
16mm across the flats, 2.44g
Mitchener 1754;
Bopearachchi Série 4
|
| Menander: c.160-145 BC |
 |
Bactrian and Indo-Scythian Kingdoms, Menander, AR Drachm, 160-145 BC, Taxila-Pushkalavati
Mint
BAΣIΛEΩΣ ΣΩTHPOΣ / MENANΔPOY
Diademed, draped bust right
Kharoshthi script (Maharajasa tratasara Menandrasa)
Pallas standing left, shield in left hand, hurling thunderbolt with raised
right hand
Mint mark in left field
16mm x 17mm, 2.30g
Mitchener 1769;
Bopearachchi Série 13/70
|
 |
Bactrian and Indo-Scythian Kingdoms, Menander, AR Drachm, 160-145 BC, Taxila-Pushkalavati
Mint
BAΣIΛEΩΣ ΣΩTHPOΣ / MENANΔPOY
Diademed, draped bust right
Kharoshthi script (Maharajasa tratasara Menandrasa)
Pallas standing left, shield in left hand, hurling thunderbolt with raised
right hand
Mint mark in right field
15mm x 17mm, 2.36g
Mitchener 1786;
Bopearachchi Série 6/11
|
 |
Bactrian and Indo-Scythian Kingdoms, Menander, AR Drachm, 160-145 BC, Taxila-Pushkalavati
Mint
BAΣIΛEΩΣ ΣΩTHPOΣ / MENANΔPOY
Diademed, heroically nude bust of Menander left, seen from behind, aegis
over left shoulder, hurling javelin with right hand
Kharoshthi script (Maharajasa tratasara Menandrasa)
Pallas standing left, seen from behind, shield embossed with gorgon in left hand, hurling thunderbolt with raised
right hand
Mint mark in right field
16mm x 18mm, 2.48g
Mitchener 1787;
Bopearachchi Série 9
|
 |
Bactrian and Indo-Scythian Kingdoms, Menander, AR Drachm, 160-145 BC, Taxila-Pushkalavati
Mint
BAΣIΛEΩΣ ΣΩTHPOΣ / MENANΔPOY
Diademed, heroically nude bust of Menander left, seen from behind, aegis
over left shoulder, hurling javelin with right hand
Kharoshthi script (Maharajasa tratasara Menandrasa)
Pallas standing left, seen from behind, shield embossed with gorgon in left hand, hurling thunderbolt with raised
right hand
Mint mark in right field
17mm x 18mm, 2.37g
Mitchener 1787;
Bopearachchi Série 9
|
 |
Bactrian and Indo-Scythian Kingdoms, Menander, AE Chalkous, 160-145 BC, Taxila-Pushkalavati
Mint
BAΣIΛEΩΣ-ΣΩTHPOΣ / MENANΔPOY
Head of elephant right wearing bell, A below
Kharoshthi script (Maharajasa tratasara Menandrasa)
Vertical club
Mint mark in right field
14mm x 15mm across the flats, 2.06g
Bopearachchi Série 28
|
 |
Bactrian and Indo-Scythian Kingdoms, Menander, AE Chalkous, 160-145 BC, Taxila-Pushkalavati
Mint
BAΣIΛEΩΣ-ΣΩTHPOΣ / MENANΔPOY
Head of elephant right wearing bell
Kharoshthi script (Maharajasa tratasara Menandrasa)
Vertical club
Mint mark in left and right fields
14mm across the flats, 3.03g
Bopearachchi Série 28
|
 |
Bactrian and Indo-Scythian Kingdoms, Menander, AE Chalkous, 160-145 BC, Taxila-Pushkalavati
Mint
BAΣIΛEΩΣ-ΣΩTHPOΣ / MENANΔPOY
Head of elephant right wearing bell
Kharoshthi script (Maharajasa tratasara Menandrasa)
Vertical club
Mint mark in right field
15mm x 16 across the flats, 3.06g
Bopearachchi Série 28
|
| Zoilos I: c.150-145 BC |
 |
Bactrian and Indo-Scythian Kingdoms, Zoilos I, AE Hemiobol, c150-145 BC, Chach Mint
BAΣIΛEΩΣ-ΔIKAIOY / ΞΩIΛOY
Bust of Herakles right wearing lionskin headdress
Kharoshthi script (Maharajasa dhramikasa Jhoilasa)
Club and bow in case in wreath
21mm across the flats, 7.77g
Mitchener 1834;
Bopearachchi Série 6
|
| Antialkidas:
c.145-135 BC |
 |
Bactrian and Indo-Scythian Kingdoms, Antialkidas, AR Drachm, 145-135 BC, Taxila-Pushkalavati
Mint
BASILEWS NIKHFOROU / ANTIALKIDOU
Diademed, draped bust right
Kharoshthi script (Maharajasa Jayadarasa Antialkidasa)
Zeus enthroned left, Nike in right hand, short transverse scepter in left,
forepart of elephant right at left
Mint mark under throne
16mm x 17mm, 2.09g
Mitchener 1840;
Bopearachchi Série 10/B
|
| Hermaios: c.150-90 BC |
 |
Bactrian and Indo-Scythian Kingdoms, Hermaios, AR Drachm, c.105-90 BC, Taxila-Pushkalavati
Mint
BAΣIΛEΩΣ ΣΩTHPOΣ / EPMAIOY
Diademed, draped bust right
Kharoshthi script (Maharajasa Tratarasa Heramayasa)
Zeus enthroned three-quarters left, short transverse scepter in left hand,
gesturing with right
Mint mark in right field
16mm x 17mm, 2.12g
Bopearachchi Série 3/F
|
| Maues: c.90-57 BC |
 |
Bactrian and Indo-Scythian Kingdoms, Maues, AE Hemiobol, c.90-57 BC
(No legend)
Head of elephant right wearing bell, all in fillet border
BASILEWS | MAUOU
Caduceus, monogram in left field
28mm x 31mm, 10.07g
Mitchener 2196; Senior 5.1
|
 |
Bactrian and Indo-Scythian Kingdoms, Maues, AE Hemiobol, c.90-57 BC
BASILEWS BAS_ILEWN MAGA_LOU MAUOU
Elephant walking right, trunk raised, all in filleted border
Kharosthi legend (Rajatirajasa mahatasa Moasa)
King seated cross-legged facing on couch, sword across lap, monogram above
right, all in filleted border
21mm x 22mm across the flats, 9.25g
Mitchener 2201; Senior 15.2
|
| Apollodotos II:
c.80-65 BC |
 |
Bactrian and Indo-Scythian Kingdoms, Apollodotos II (c.80-65 BC), AR Drachm, c.65 BC, Uncertain
Bactrian Mint - Probably Taxila or Punjab
BAΣIΛEΩΣ ΣΩTHPOΣ KAI ΦIΛOΠATOPOΣ / AΠOΛΛOΔOTOY
Diademed, draped bust right
Kharoshthi script (Maharajasa tratarasa / Apaladatasa)
Athena Alkidemos standing left, wearing aegis, seen from behind, shield on
outstretched left arm, hurling thunderbolt with right hand
Tau-rho monogram in left field
16mm x 17mm, 2.38g
Notes and commentary from consignor:
Bactria was a part of the northeastern periphery of the Persian Empire. It
consisted of parts of modern-day Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and
Turkmenistan. The region was host to religions like Zoroastrianism and
Buddhism. It also had a large contingent of the Judean and Samaritan
Diaspora. As with many other examples of the tau-rho monogram, this use is
associated with the locations of the tribes of the Northern Kingdom -
especially the Samaritans.
Athena Alkidemos has an interesting meaning. She was a goddess of
Macedonian origin that was the "protector of the people". The
use of the tau-rho, with its underlying meaning for the Messiah, may be
related to its use with Alkidemos.
|
| Vonones and
Spalahores: c.75-65 BC |
 |
Bactrian and Indo-Scythian Kingdoms, Vonones and Spalahores, AR Drachm, c.75-65 BC, Bannu
BASILEWS BASILEWN MEGALOU / ONWNOU
Vonones, in military dress, transverse spear in right hand, advancing
right on horseback
Kharosthi legend (?)
Zeus, radiate, standing facing, thunderbolt in right hand, long vertical
scepter in left
Monogram in left field
16mm x 17mm, 2.26g
Senior 65.4
|
 |
Bactrian and Indo-Scythian Kingdoms, Vonones and Spalahores, AR Drachm, c.75-65 BC, Bannu
BASILEWS BASILEWN MEGALOU / ONWNOU
Vonones, in military dress, transverse spear in right hand, advancing
right on horseback
Kharosthi legend (?)
Zeus, radiate, standing facing, thunderbolt in right hand, long vertical
scepter in left
B in right field
16mm x 17mm, 2.16g
Senior 65.4
|
| Vonones and
Spalahores with Spalagadames: c.75-65 BC |
 |
Bactrian and Indo-Scythian Kingdoms, Vonones and Spalahores with Spalagadames, AR Tetradrachm,
c.75-65
BC
BAΣIΛEΩΣ BAΣIΛEΩN MEΓAΛOY / ONΩNOY
King on horseback right, spear pointing forward
Kharosthi legend (Spalahoraputrasa dhramiasa Spalagadamasa)
Zeus standing facing, thunderbolt in right hand, vertical long scepter in
left, monogram in right field
23mm x 24mm, 9.21g
Mitchener 686b (Vonones); Senior 67.2
|
 |
Bactrian and Indo-Scythian Kingdoms, Vonones and Spalahores with Spalagadames, AE Hemiobol, c.75-65 BC,
Kandahar
CPALURIOC-DIKAIOU-ADELFOUTOU-BACILEwC
King on horseback right within beaded frame
Kharosthi legend (Spalahoraputrasa dhramiasa Spalagadamasa)
Hercules seated left on rock, club in right hand, left hand resting on
rock, monogram in left field, all in linear frame
22mm x 23mm across the flats, 7.58g
Mitchener 691b (Vonones); Senior 69.1
|
 |
Bactrian and Indo-Scythian Kingdoms, Vonones and Spalahores with Spalagadames, AE Hemiobol, c.75-65 BC,
Kandahar
CPALURIOC-DIKAIOU-ADELFOUTOU-BACILEwC
King on horseback right within beaded frame
Kharosthi legend (Spalahoraputrasa dhramiasa Spalagadamasa)
Hercules seated left on rock, club in right hand, left hand resting on
rock, monogram in left field, all in linear frame
21mm across the flats, 8.43g
Mitchener 691b (Vonones); Senior 69.1
|
| Koson:
c.Mid-1st Century BC |
 |
Bactrian and Indo-Scythian Kingdoms, Geto-Dacian Dynasts, Koson, AV Stater, c.Mid 1st Cenutury BC
KOΣΩN
Roman consul accompanied by two lictors, BA monogram to left
(No legend)
Eagle standing left on scepter, holding wreath
18mm x 19mm, 8.61g
O.
Iliescu, "Sur les monnaies d'or ŕ la légende KOΣΩN," QT 1990, 1; RPC I 1701; BMC Thrace
p. 208, 2; BMCRR II p. 474, 48
Click here for the compelling research Classical Numismatic Group has
posted on this interesting type.
|
| Azes I: 58-19
BC |
 |
Bactrian and Indo-Scythian Kingdoms,
Azes I, AE Hemiobol, c.57-35 BC
BAΣIΛEΩΣ-BAΣIΛEΩN-MEΓAΛOY / AZOY
Azes I, in military dress, transverse spear in right hand, advancing
right on horseback
Kharosthi legend (Rajadirajasa Mahatasa Ayasa)
Humped bull standing right
Monogram in upper left field
29mm x 30mm across the flats, 10.15g
Senior 84.1
|
| Zoilos II: c.55-35 BC |
 |
Bactrian and Indo-Scythian Kingdoms, Zoilos II (c.55-35 BC), AR Drachm, c.35
BC, Taxila or Punjab Mint
BAΣIΛEΩΣ ΣΩTHPOY / ZΩIΛOY
Diademed, draped bust of Zoilos II right
Kharosthi legend (Maharajasa tratarasa Jhoilasa)
Athena Alkidemos standing left, wearing aegis, seen from behind, shield on
outstretched left arm, hurling thunderbolt with right hand
Monograms and tau-rho in fields
15mm x 16mm, 2.13g
Ex Midwest
"Coins of Christianity" Collection
Notes and commentary from consignor:
Zoilos II reigned c.55 to 35 BC in the area of modern-day northern
Pakistan, northern India and southern Afghanistan. In ancient times, this
area was moderately populated by the Jewish Diaspora, particularly the
tribe of Manasseh.
The staurogram (tau-rho) symbol was used primarily by the Diaspora from
the northern kingdom, who settled mainly east and north of Israel.
Kingdoms such as Samaria, Chalkis, Armenia, Parthia and Scythia appear to
use this symbol for the anticipated coming of the Messiah.
|
| Azes II: c.5
BC-35 AD |
 |
Bactrian and Indo-Scythian Kingdoms,
Azes II, AE Pentachalkon, c.5 BC-35 AD, Taxila
BAΣIΛEΩΣ BAΣIΛEΩN MEΓAΛOY / AZOY
City goddess enthrones left, monogram in box behind
Kharosthi legend (Maharajasa Rajarajasa mahatasa Ayasa)
Hermes standing facing, head left, right hand raised, kerykeion in left,
Staurogram in left field
26mm x 27mm, 11.98g
MACW 2321
Ex Midwest "Coins of
Christianity" Collection
|
 |
Bactrian and Indo-Scythian Kingdoms,
Azes II, AE Hexachalkon, c.5 BC-35 AD, Taxila
BAΣIΛEΩΣ BAΣIΛEΩN MEΓAΛOY / AZOY
Humped bull standing right, monogram in box above
Kharosthi legend (Maharajasa Rajarajasa mahatasa Ayasa)
Lion standing right, monogram above
25mm x 27mm, 14.21g
MACW 2383
|
 |
Bactrian and Indo-Scythian Kingdoms,
Azes II, AE Hexachalkon, c.5 BC-35 AD, Taxila
BAΣIΛEΩΣ BAΣIΛEΩN MEΓAΛOY / AZOY
Humped bull standing right, monogram in box above
Kharosthi legend (Maharajasa Rajarajasa mahatasa Ayasa)
Lion standing right, monogram above
26mm x 28mm, 12.93g
MACW 2383
Ex Symbol of the Samaritan Messiah
Collection
Notes and comments from consignor: The regnal dates for Azes II are
greatly disputed. the most likely time frame is 35 BC to 12 BC (but this
shoots down a Christian legend about him being one of the Wise Men.) The
Indo-Scythian Empire included most of northern India. This region had a
large population of the Samaritan Diaspora, so the knowledge of the coming
Messiah would have been widespread. This coin shows a stylized tau-rho
monogram. One of the crossbars has a spike through it. this could
represent piercings of the suffering Messiah.
|
 |
Bactrian and Indo-Scythian Kingdoms,
Azes II, AR Drachm, c.5 BC-35 AD, Hazara
BAΣIΛEΩΣ BAΣIΛEΩN MEΓAΛOY / AZOY
Azes II, in military dress, transverse spear in right hand, advancing
right on horseback, P in exergue
Kharosthi legend (Maharajasa Rajarajasa mahatasa Ayasa)
Zeus, radiate, standing facing, hurling thunderbolt with right hand, long
transverse scepter in left
Monograms in left and right fields
16mm x 17mm, 2.34g
Senior 88
|
 |
Bactrian and Indo-Scythian Kingdoms,
Azes II, AR Drachm, c.5 BC-35 AD, Hazara
BAΣIΛEΩΣ BAΣIΛEΩN MEΓAΛOY / AZOY
Azes II, in military dress, whip upward in right hand, advancing right on
horseback, symbol in right field
Kharosthi legend (Maharajasa Rajarajasa mahatasa Ayasa)
Pallas standing left in military dress, right hand raised, shield in left,
transverse spear behind (?)
Monograms in left and right fields
16mm, 2.06g
Senior 95.5
|
 |
Bactrian and Indo-Scythian Kingdoms,
Azes II, AR Drachm, c.5 BC-35 AD, Hazara Mint
BAΣIΛEΩΣ BAΣIΛEΩN MEΓAΛOY / AZOY
Azes II, in military dress, whip upward in right hand, advancing right on
horseback, symbol in right field
Kharosthi legend (Maharajasa Rajarajasa mahatasa Ayasa)
Pallas standing facing in military dress, right hand raised, shield in
left, transverse spear behind
Monograms in left and right fields
16mm, 2.18g
Senior 96.2
|
 |
Bactrian and Indo-Scythian Kingdoms,
Azes II, AR Drachm, c.5 BC-35 AD, Hazara
BAΣIΛEΩΣ BAΣIΛEΩN MEΓAΛOY / AZOY
Azes II, in military dress, whip upward in right hand, advancing right on
horseback, symbol in right field
Kharosthi legend (Maharajasa Rajarajasa mahatasa Ayasa)
Pallas standing facing in military dress, right hand raised, shield in
left, transverse spear behind
Monograms in left and right fields
14mm x 15mm, 1.97g
Senior 96.2
|
 |
Bactrian and Indo-Scythian Kingdoms, Azes II, AR Drachm, c.5 BC-35 AD, Hazara
BAΣIΛEΩΣ BAΣIΛEΩN MEΓAΛOY / AZOY
Azes II, in military dress, whip upward in right hand, advancing right on
horseback, symbol in right field
Kharosthi legend (Maharajasa Rajarajasa mahatasa Ayasa)
Pallas standing right in military dress, right hand raised, shield and
transverse spear in left
Monograms in left and right fields
15mm x 16mm, 1.99g
Senior 98.180
|
| Gondophares-Sases:
c.19-46 AD |
 |
Bactrian and Indo-Scythian Kingdoms, Gondophares-Sases, AE Tetradrachm, c.19-46 AD,
Taxila
(Corrupted Greek legend)
Gondophares-Sases, in military dress, whip upward in right hand, advancing right on
horseback, symbol in right field, cross under horse
Kharosthi legend
Zeus standing right, long scepter in left hand, various symbols in fields
21mm x 22mm, 9.02g
Senior, Indo-Scythian, 242.641T; Mitchener,
Indo-Greek, 1138d (Sasan)
Ex Midwest "Coins of Christianity"
Collection
Consignor notes: Christianity came to ancient India c.40 AD when the
Apostle Thomas arrived in the Tamil region and established seven churches.
He baptized King Gondophares, making Christianity "official".
Unfortunately, there was great turmoil in India between the religious and
regional factions. The Brahmans were the majority and methodically
persecuted the Buddhists and Christian. As a result, Thomas was martyred
by the Brahmans c.60 AD.
|
| Imitative
Types |
 |
Bactrian and Indo-Scythian Kingdoms, Hermaios, AR Drachm, c.90-70 BC, Uncertain Mint, Imitative Posthumous
Issue
BAΣIΛEΩΣ ΣOTHPOΣ / EPMAIOY
Diademed, draped bust of Hermaios right
Kharoshthi script (Maharajasa Tratarasa Heramayasa)
Zeus enthroned three-quarters left, short transverse scepter in left hand,
gesturing with right
Monogram in left field
16mm, 2.05g
Bopearachchi 15; Senior 34aD; Mitchener
419
This posthumous issue is variously attributed to the Indo-Scythian, Yuezhi,
or Kushan rulers of Hermaios' former territories.
|
|
