Walking on an unknown path - Indo-Greek

[ambr0zie]

Today I attended a numismatic show (well, the term is too optimistic - actually, a monthly gathering of sellers of various objects, but not all related to numismatics). Usually I just go to say hello to a a seller I know and I like to discuss with, but today I found something - a little surprising. I suspected it's ancient, I had a rough idea about what it is but it wasn't my area. Since the price was OK, I decided to have a go. Especially since the prize won from @Nerosmyfavorite68's contest demanded a new coin. 

After some struggles in attributing it, I think I managed to do it. 

23 mm, 9,75 g.
Indo-Greek Kingdoms. Bactria. Apollodotus I 174-165 BC. Ӕ square hemiobol.
ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΠΟΛΛΟΔΟΤΟΥ ΣΩΤΗΡΟΣ, Apollo radiate, standing facing, holding arrow in right hand and bow in left arm / [Transliteration: mahārājasa apaladatasa tratarasa – “of the great king Apollodotus the savior”] - Tripod; dotted border. Monogram: Bopearachchi Monogram 51 symbol, consists of Ε and Α - 
Original reverse legend (in Kharoṣṭhī): 
Bactrian and Indo-Greek Coinage Apollodotus I 6.4; Bopearachchi 6.D.

I did not have too much info about this history chapter. 

Apollodotus I (some sources - 180-160 BC, others - 175-164 BC) was an Indo-Greek king who ruled the southern and western parts of the kingdom. He was the first king who ruled in India only - therefore the first "proper" Indo-Greek king. 

His coinage is abundant and a representative part are the square bilingual coins - many more interesting than mine, depicting animals. 

Please post anything you feel relevant. 

[Nerosmyfavorite68]

I enjoy Indo-Greek a lot, but I don't really have any significant examples to share.

[velarfricative]

Another coin of Apollodotos I, a rare early circular Attic hemidrachm.

Edited April 1 by velarfricative

[Cordoba]

Two of my recent indo greek acquisitions, a heliokles II tet and apollodotos ii tet.

[Ryro]

Nice new Baktrian and good work identifying it!

It's a slippery slope, as they are fun and have cool iconography. Here are some of mine starting with the same type as your new coin:

Apollodotus I

Indo-Greeks, (160-150 BC), Copper Square Hemi-Obol, Obv: apollo standing, holding bow and arrow, greek around legend 'BAΣIΛEΩΣ AΠOΛΛOΔOTOY ΣΩTHPOΣ', Rev: tripod within dotted border, khroshthi legend 'maharajasa apaladatasa tratarasa', 10.05g, 22.33x22.63mm, (Mitch. Vol.2 # type 209), about very fine+.

Eukratides (171-145 BC), Bronze Unit, BN series 19, 8.99g. Obv: Helmeted bust of king, Greek legend BASILEOS MEGALOU EUKRATIDOU. Rev: Dioskuroides on horseback; Kharoshthi legend above and below Maharajasa Ewukratidasa.

Ex: Timeline Auc

Lysias

BAKTRIA, Indo-Greek Kingdom. Circa 130-125 BC. Æ (20x20mm, 8.82 g, 12h). Indian standard. Head of Herakles right, lion’s skin tied around neck, club over shoulder / Elephant advancing right; monograms in exergue. Bopearachchi 8A; SNG ANS 1040-7. VF, dark green patina

Menander I

BAKTRIA, Indo-Greek Kingdom. circa 165/55-130 BC. Drachm (Silver, 16 mm, 2.49 g, 12 h), Indian standard, uncertain mint in Paropamisadai or Gandhara. BAΣIΛEΩΣ ΣΩTHPOΣ - MENANΔPOY Draped bust of Menander I to right, wearing crested helmet adorned with pelt and wing. Rev. 'Maharajasa tratarasa Menamdrasa' (in Kharoshti) Athena advancing left, holding shield on left arm and brandishing thunderbolt with her right; to right, monogram. Bopearachchi 16l. HGC 12, 193. Light doubling on the obverse and with a minor flan crack, otherwise, very fine.

Purchased from Leu Feb 2022

 

Edited April 1 by Ryro

[Parthicus]

Very nice coins, here's my square AR drachm of Apollodotus I:

 

[Cordoba]

1 hour ago, Ryro said:

 

Menander I Soter

Beautiful BAKTRIA, Indo-Greek Kingdom.. Circa 155-130 BC. Æ Unit (15mm, 3.1 g, 12h). Head of elephant facing slightly right, wearing bell around neck / Club of Herakles upward; monogram to right. Bopearachchi 28D; SNG ANS 920-2

 

This is a coin of Lysias, not Menander. The legend reads ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΝΙΚΗΤΟΥ ΛΥΣΙΟΥ on the obverse

[ominus1]

..Hermanios Soter, Bactria 105=90BC ...most likely a  coin minted after his death  at a later date, around 40BC

[Ryro]

1 hour ago, Cordoba said:

This is a coin of Lysias, not Menander. The legend reads ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΝΙΚΗΤΟΥ ΛΥΣΙΟΥ on the obverse

Oops! Good call and thanks for saying something. I was hurrying to get the IDs added. That's what I get for posting when I should be working. Post is updated with correct identification. 

[Sulla80]

I haven't pulled this one out for a while! Appollodotus - Elephant & Zebu!

 

[Alegandron]

Some of my Indo's


Indo-Greek Baktria Menander I Soter BC 155-130 AR Tet 26mm 9.6g Diad - Athena Alkidemos tbolt Gorgon shield SNG ANS 764-767



INDO-GREEK KINGDOM Zoilos II Circa 50-40 BCE AR drachm 17mm 2.3g Athena Alkidemos l monograms Antony Actium SNG ANS 1654-1658



Baktria Indo Greco-Baktrian Kingdom Eukratides I Megas 170-145 BCE Dioscuri AE Quadruple Unit



Baktria Apollodotos I 180-160 BCE Square AR Drachm 20mm 2.4g Elephant Zebu-Brahman SNG ANS 324-327

[Nerosmyfavorite68]

Classical Numismatics just did a video on Heliokles, from Bactria proper.

I enjoy the Indo-Greeks a lot!  For whatever reasons, probably because they're mostly small coins, I don't have a lot.

I suppose it'll be an enduring mystery what the decrepit Indo-Greek AR Tetradrachm is. I pulled it out of an HJB pick bin in the '90's, back from when they had tons of Indo-Greek stuff.  It's pretty far gone, but I suspect that it's Menander (seems to be helmeted).  I'd have to find it, then I'd have to conquer my coin photography woes to show it.