I purchased this silver drachm several years ago from a Frank Robinson sale but never studied it even at a superficial level. I rephotographed it last night for the "Follow the coin theme game" thread and thought I'd read a little bit about it. Hermaios was the last Greek king to rule in Gandhara and the Kabul valley (now in Pakistan). Apart from coins in his own name, Hermaios also issued coins with a queen named Calliope. Why he did so is not clear. Perhaps Hermaios himself was not of royal parentage, while Calliope was. He may have then felt the need to feature her portrait on his early coins as a way to legitimize his rule. Only two coin types were issued in this joint format, a drachm like mine and a silver tetradrachm, both with the same inscriptions and devices. In the early part of his reign, when his wife shared the throne, he pursued an aggressive foreign policy and re-conquered some territories which his predecessors had lost. However, his success was short-lived and eventually, Hermaios was defeated by the Kushan ruler Kujula Kadphises, ending more than three centuries of Greek rule in the area. Let's see your Indo-Greek/Bactrian coins! Hermaios and Calliope, 90-70 BC. Indo-Greek AR drachm, 16.2 mm, 1.80 gm. Obv: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΣΩΤΗΡΟΣ ΕΡΜΑΙΟΥ ΚΑΙ ΚΑΛΛΙΟΠΗΣ, jugate busts, right. Rev: Kharoshthi legend: maharajasa tratarasa heramayasa / kaliyapaya, king on prancing horse, right; monogram below. Refs: BMC India p. 66, 1-2; Sear 7739; Forrer 53; SNG ANS 1319-25; MIG (Mitchiner) 408b; Bopearachchi 2B.
Apollodotus II (80 - 65 B.C.) AR Drachm Bactrian Kingdom O: BAΣIΛEΩΣ ΣΩTPOΣ KAI ΦIΛOΠATPOΣ AΠOΛΛOΔOTOY; diademed and draped bust right. R:Rev: "Maharajasa tratarasa Apaladatasa" in Karosthi; Athena Alkidemos advancing left, holding thunderbolt and aegis; monogram to right. 2.21g 17mm Bopearachchi Série 2D; SNG ANS 1544ff.
Interesting OP coin, I don't think I've seen that type with king and queen busts together on Indo-Greek coins. Here's my obol of the Bactrian king Eukratides I:
Cool coin. I've a few IndoGrecoBacos, none in silver though. Here's a pretty fun ones with herakles: 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.Ex: Timeline Auction
Very cool, @Roman Collector ! I saw your coin in another thread, and am glad you wrote this up. I enjoy your embellishments... very educational. Here are a couple of my INDO-GREEKS: Indo-Greek Baktria Menander I Soter BC 155-130 AR Tet 26mm 9.6g Diad - Athena Alkidemos tbolt Gorgon shield SNG ANS 764-767 This guy was speculated that sent an army / led the army to fight on the side of Antony and Cleopatra at the Battle of Actium... INDO-GREEK KINGDOM Zoilos II Circa 50-40 BCE AR drachm 17mm 2.3g Athena Alkidemos l monograms Antony Actium SNG ANS 1654-1658
