Indo-Greek Kingdom, Menander I ‘Soter’ Silver Drachm – c.166-145 BC

£75.00

A silver drachm of the Indo-Greek Kingdom, during the reign of Menander I ‘Soter’.

This coin holds good detail on both sides and is well-centred.

Menander I is regarded as the most significant of the Indo-Greek rulers who presided over an affluent kingdom of diverse cultures and faiths. He is famously recorded in the Buddhist tradition as an adherent of the faith following discussions with the Buddhist sage, Nāgasena.

Menander’s coinage is noted for the dual scripts used, reflecting the polyglot nature of his kingdom. On the obverse, Menander’s portrait is surrounded by Ancient Greek ‘BAΣIΛEΩΣ ΣΩTHPOΣ MENANΔPOY’ whilst the reverse depicts Athena Alkidemos throwing a thunderbolt, surrounded by the Kharosthi legend.

Some porosity, Good Very Fine.

Out of stock

SKU: H.1036 Categories: ,

Description

Indo-Greek Kingdom, Menander I ‘Soter’, AR Drachm. ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΣΩΤΗΡΟΣ ΜΕΝΑΝΔΡΟΥ, Bust of Menander I, diademed and draped, wearing Boeotian helmet covered with animal skin right / 𐨨𐨱𐨪𐨗𐨯 𐨟𐨿𐨪𐨟𐨪𐨯 𐨨𐨅𐨣𐨡𐨿𐨪𐨯, Athena Alkidemos advancing left, shield decorated with aegis over arm, hurling thunderbolt; monogram (Bopearachchi Monogram 266).

Weight: 2.28g, 17mm.

ref.  Bopearachchi 16G, HGC 12, 193, (see example).

Some porosity, Good Very Fine

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