Its been a while since I posted this coin. It sits in my collection among my overall favorites. The coin is not perfect and it is not without its problems. The surface has been cleaned but is beginning to tone down. I can credit this 2012 coin purchase with steering my collecting interests Eastward. (Westward to most people on earth.) Map Credit to PNGCOM The coin in hand is amazing. The king's portrait is in surprisingly high relief. The coin is fairly thin over all but the king really stands out. The obverse legend is pretty clear and you can clearly see the kings name. BASILEWS SWTHROS MENANDPOY or Our King Menander the Savior. The reverse featuring the ornate Kharosthi legend (although 3/4 off flan) MAHARAJA TRATASA MENADRASA "the savior king. The reverse also features Athena Alkidemos (as protector of the city) Advancing with thunderbolt, reminiscent of the reverse of the tetradrachms of Alexander's successors in Macedonia. Interesting...Menander was the first recorded King to be Buddhist Convert. "Questions of Milinda" from Hutchison's Story of Nations. Expert from wikipedia... The Milinda Panha (Pali trans. "Questions of Milinda") is a Buddhist text which dates from approximately 100 BCE. It is included in the Burmese edition of the Pāli Canon of Theravada Buddhism as a book of the Khuddaka Nikaya; however, it does not appear in the Thai or Sri Lankan versions. A shorter version of it, however, is featured in Chinese Mahayana translations. It purports to record a dialogue in which the Indo-Greek king Menander I (Pali Milinda) of Bactria, who reigned in the 2nd century BCE, poses questions on Buddhism to the sage Nāgasena. This coin really shows off the true blending of east and west Greek on one side and and Kharosthi on the other side. Now the reshoot.... Asia, Bactria Indo-Greek Kingdom House of Euthydemus Menander I Soter (Milinda Panha) (r.BC 155-130) AR Tetradrachm 26.5 mm x 9.63 grams. Obverse: Diademed bust of Menander right. Greek Legend -BASILEWS SWTHROS MENANDPOY Reverse: Athena Alkidemos (as protector of the city) Advancing left with thunderbolt and Gorgon faced shield. Monograms Left and Right Fields; Kharosthi Legend-MAHARAJA TRATASA MENADRASA Ref: SNG ANS 764-767. Bopearachchi 12A Note: Large denomination. Scarce. Ancient King of Religious and Historical significance.
That's a really terrific coin, A-noob!! Wonderful narrative as well!! My only entry into that geographical area is a much more modest version: Meander Soter 155-130 BC AR Drachm. 2.36 grams Helmeted bust/ Athena Akidemos: SNG ANS 855
Thanks. The condition of your coin can be justified and deemed acceptable when I read about this account in Periplus of the Erythraean Sea written in the late 1st century AD. "To the present day ancient drachmae are current in Barygaza, coming from this country, bearing inscriptions in Greek letters, and the devices of those who reigned after Alexander, Apollodorus [sic] and Menander." —Periplus Chap. 47
That's a fantastic piece of art AN. Can you post a comparison of the new photo with the original one?
Wait, there were people east of Arabia? I'm glad your revisited the coin - I must have missed it the first time around.
I purchased a Menander not long ago, and also love the role Menander played in Buddhism. If I recall, he not only converted to Buddhism, but he is credited with establishing the Buddha as a god (a somewhat unusual idea in Indian cultures at the time, but certainly not unusual for a man to become a God in Greek culture...) Menander by FitzNigel posted Jun 2, 2015 at 10:24 AM
Very cool Masternoob, when you bought that coin i had to find a Menander for myself, great write up as always. love it!! Mine, Kings of Baktria, Indo. Menander. 165/155-130 BC. Ar, Drachm Obv. helmeted and draped bust right. Rev. Athens Alkidemos advancing left, holding shield and thunderbolt, Monogram to right. 19mm x 2.45g.
