Roma Numismatics Ltd
Auction X 27 September 2015
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Indo-Skythians, Maues AR Tetradrachm. Uncertain northwestern mint, circa 95-57 BC. BAΣIΛEΩΣ BAΣIΛEΩN MEΓΛΛOY MAYOY, radiate deity, holding sceptre, and driver, holding wand and reins, in biga right / Zeus enthroned facing slightly left, holding torque and sceptre; monogram to left. Senior 2.5T. 9.23g, 27mm, 11h.
Good Extremely Fine, nearly as struck. Some light deposits. Extremely Rare, and exceptional for the type.
Maues is considered to be the first Indo-Skythian king in India to strike coins bearing his own name. He styles himself a grandiose sounding title which may be on account of the clan nature of Skythian society, Maues being the supreme ruler over his fellow clan chiefs. His rise to power seems to have been sudden, judging by the quality of his coinage and the lack of any issues predating his assumption of a royal title.
Maues established Skythian power in Gandhara (modern day Pakistan and Afghanistan region) by seizing Taxila and Sirkap from the Indo-Greek kingdom, and gradually he extended his rule over swathes of north-western India. His coins clearly show an adoption of the Greek language, as well as many Greek deities and types. This seems to suggest a policy of assimilation towards the Greeks conquered by Maues, a hypothesis supported by the existence of a coin naming 'Artemidoros, son of the King of Kings, Maues'.
Good Extremely Fine, nearly as struck. Some light deposits. Extremely Rare, and exceptional for the type.
Maues is considered to be the first Indo-Skythian king in India to strike coins bearing his own name. He styles himself a grandiose sounding title which may be on account of the clan nature of Skythian society, Maues being the supreme ruler over his fellow clan chiefs. His rise to power seems to have been sudden, judging by the quality of his coinage and the lack of any issues predating his assumption of a royal title.
Maues established Skythian power in Gandhara (modern day Pakistan and Afghanistan region) by seizing Taxila and Sirkap from the Indo-Greek kingdom, and gradually he extended his rule over swathes of north-western India. His coins clearly show an adoption of the Greek language, as well as many Greek deities and types. This seems to suggest a policy of assimilation towards the Greeks conquered by Maues, a hypothesis supported by the existence of a coin naming 'Artemidoros, son of the King of Kings, Maues'.