There were 3 coins I was biding on in CNG eAuction 411. The frequency with which I win coins from CNG is fairly low, so I was pleased to win a coin and the fact that it was the one I wanted most made it even better. The coin I won is the first of its kind for me, an AR drachm of Menander I Soter, ruler of the Indo-Greek kingdom from 155-130 BC. I loved the heroic bust on this coin and Menander is a fascinating figure. He ruled a large and wealth Hellenistic kingdom in modern Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India, as attested to the larger number of his coins that exist today. He was also a convert to Buddhism and is featured in a number of Buddhist texts. After getting this coin I think I have a new area of coins to start collecting. Feel free to post any Indo-Greek, Oriental Greek, or Bactrian coins you have.
That is a wonderful bust and an excellent coin. I have looked at these coins many times but I have not jumped in...yet.
Awesome @TheRed ! I love that bust style! This was one of my favorite coins of 2016, a tet of Azes (I or II?)
India, Kushan Vima Kadphises AE Tetradrachm, 112-127 AD, 15.7g, 27mm OBV: King standing facing, sacrificing at altar left, tamgha and club in right field, Greek legend around, worn off. REV: Oesho (Siva) standing facing, Bull Nandi behind, nandipada at left, Kharoshthi legend around. REF: Mitchiner 3006-3046
Very nice! I believe he is also credited with begining the line of thought that the Buddha was a god (not such a strange udea for a Greek...) Kingdom of Bactria Menander I r. c. 165/55-130 B.C. AR Drachm, 15.71mm x 2.5 grams Obv.: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΣΩΤΗΡΟΣ / ΜΕΝΑΝΔΡΟΥ. Diademed bust of the sovereign right, coat fastened on the right shoulder Rev.: (Maharajasa tratarasa / Menamdrasa). Athena Alkidemos standing left. Monogram 'H' in right field Ref.: Bopearachchi, Ménandre (I) Sôter, 67
Beautiful OP coin ! I don't have anything relevant to post, but I understand now where my elephant takes his trousers from Q
Well done @TheRed ! So many different cool coins from these areas... India Indo-Scythian King Azes I 57-30BCE AR Drachm INDIA Kushan Empire Vima Takto-Soter Megas Æ Tetradrachm 21mm 8.5g AD 80-100 bust r holding scepter tamgha behind on horse r holding axe tamgha Senior B17.1vT Indo-Greek Baktria Menander I Soter BC 155-130 AR Tet 26mm 9.6g Diad - Athena Alkidemos tbolt Gorgon shield SNG ANS 764-767 Baktria Apollodotos I 180-160 BCE Square AR Drachm 20mm 2.4g Elephant Zebu SNG ANS 324-327 Sogdiana - Hyrcodes 3rd-4thCE AR Scyphate Obol or Reduced Drachm 12mm 0.56g Bukhara mint Male-Deity BMC Baktria p118 Baktria Greco-Baktrian Kingdom Eukratides I Megas 170-145 BCE Dioscuri AE Quadruple Unit INDO-GREEK KINGDOM Zoilos II Circa 50-40 BCE AR drachm 17mm 2.3g Athena Alkidemos l monograms Antony Actium SNG ANS 1654-1658
Wonderful posts everyone and that OP of Menander is fantastic. My example is a budget version but it's mine LOL
Great coins, I will add my most recent addition/ still in mail between Vienna and Orleans AV Dinar ND Peshawar Mint stempelglanz=mint state King Vima Kadphises Kushan Empire 113-27AD
Thanks for all the high praise and sharing of great coins. Looking at all of the photos people have posted just adds more types to my want list for 2018. I had almost no appreciation for this area of numismatics before getting my coin.
