Roma Numismatics Ltd
E-Sale 32 7 January 2017
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Baktria, Indo-Greek Kingdom. Menander I Soter AR Drachm. Circa 165-130 BC. Diademed and draped bust right, BAΣIΛEΩΣ ΣΩTHPOΣ MENANΔPOY around / Athena Alkidemos standing left; monogram to right. Bopearachchi Series 13B; SNG ANS 774-81. 2.39g, 16mm, 1h.
Good Very Fine. Old deep toning.
After the death of Eukratides it appears the various Greek factions engaged in an almost continuous civil war as rival families established themselves in different locations and fought one another for supremacy. One king who seems to have reconstituted a large kingdom was Menander. Menander struck coinage on the Indian standard, and though the coin is still very much in the Greek style, as it displays a diademed, helmeted bust of the king on the obverse and Athena Alkidemos, on the reverse, the Greek legend has migrated to the obverse and a new legend, in the local Prakrit language and using the Karosthi script, has appeared on the reverse. The legend: maharajasa tratarasa menamdrasa is a translation of the obverse Greek legend BAΣIΛEΩΣ ΣΩTHPOΣ MENANΔPOY (of King Menander, the Saviour). This coin was issued south of the Hindu Kush mountains and has bowed to the requirements of the Indian marketplace by adopting the reduced weight standard and introducing a local language legend.
Good Very Fine. Old deep toning.
After the death of Eukratides it appears the various Greek factions engaged in an almost continuous civil war as rival families established themselves in different locations and fought one another for supremacy. One king who seems to have reconstituted a large kingdom was Menander. Menander struck coinage on the Indian standard, and though the coin is still very much in the Greek style, as it displays a diademed, helmeted bust of the king on the obverse and Athena Alkidemos, on the reverse, the Greek legend has migrated to the obverse and a new legend, in the local Prakrit language and using the Karosthi script, has appeared on the reverse. The legend: maharajasa tratarasa menamdrasa is a translation of the obverse Greek legend BAΣIΛEΩΣ ΣΩTHPOΣ MENANΔPOY (of King Menander, the Saviour). This coin was issued south of the Hindu Kush mountains and has bowed to the requirements of the Indian marketplace by adopting the reduced weight standard and introducing a local language legend.