Heres a new indogreek king for my collection. Archebios was the last indogrek king in taxilla before Maus and the indo scythians showed up. Archebios 90-80BC Indo greek bronze quadruple Elephant walking right, Greek legend around: BAΣIΛEΩΣ ΔIKAIOY NIKHΦOPOY / APXEBIOY (Basileos Dikaiou Nikephorou Archebiou ... of King Archebios, the just, the victorious) Owl standing facing, three-quarters right, Kharoshthi legend around: maharajasa dhra / mikasa jayadhara / sa arkhebiyasa Reference: MIG 368b, Bop 12A I havent seen many owls on ancient coins other than the rather numerous athenian owl silvers. I am wondering what the symbolism of having an owl on the coin would represent. Maybe linking back to pure greek heritage? Share your owl coins and your thoughts. P.s the coins rather botched patina is kind of shiny. It might be artificial.
Neat! Without knowing anything about anything, I would suspect the Athenian style owl is, like you said, a call back to the glory days.
That little square Indo-Greek is neat. I love owls, and have, since I was a little kid. As to owls on ancient coins, I have owned two. The first one (more of a "winged bullfrog", perhaps) is one I sold, and later regretted: Greece (Pontos, Amisos): silver drachm or siglos featuring Hera and owl, ca. late 400s-300s BC The second is in my present collection and is one of my favorite coins: Greece (Spartans in Taras, Calabria, Italy): silver drachm; Athena and owl, ca. 302-281 BC
...Except, @hotwheelsearl, knowing exactly as much as you do, wouldn't it be great if both motifs, as late as this (right, relative to Athens, as @Muhammad Niazi noted), originated independently, nearer the chronological and geographic source of the issue? Just riffing (i.e., speculating), in a pointedly recreational capacity.
At first glance it reminded me of the basilisks from Darksouls. Very pretty coins. We have athenian owl imitations sometimes showing up in the local market here. I guess originating from bactria / Afghanistan.
I've got nothing ancient (yet, but @lordmarcovan is having an influence on me), so I will post what I have for your enjoyment. A few modern tribute pieces from various artistic die sinkers. I love participating on the dark side when possible. Z
Very cool square owl, @Muhammad Niazi ! I wish I had one like yours, it breaks the mold. MY NON-ATHENS OWLS... Teate Apulia 225-220 BCE AE Quincunx 12.5g 26.5mm Athena R Corinthn helmet - TIATI owl K 5 pellets - BMC HN Italy 702a SNG Cop 689 var RARE My MUTANT OWL Athens 340-317 BCE BC AE 12 Athena attic helmet R- Double bodied Owl with head facing E olive sprigs kalathos RARE BMC 224 Spartan Colony - Little known fact: Athena was a patron Goddess of Sparta Calabria Tarentum AR Drachm 18mm 3.1g 3rd C BCE Athena Corinthian Scylla OWL olive TAP ZOP HN Italy 975 Vlasto 1052
Central Asia seemed to have an affinity for Athenian types. They were the first Greek locally produced types, imitations of ancient Athens. I find the OPs coin cool in that it marries a Greek symbol, (owl), with the Central/Southern Asian one, (elephant). I am not sure if I own that type in my Indo-Greek bronze box.
Oh yeah, @Ryro made me remember about these Bad Boy Owls slaughtering Lizards (sorry @Johndakerftw ): Sicily Kamarina AE 15mm 3.4g 420-405 BCE Athena Owl Lizard 3 dots Sear Gk 1063 SICILY Kamarina Æ Onkia 13mm 1.5g 420-405 BC-OLDEST Gorgon tongue - KAMA owl r lizard in claw pellet in ex SNG Münch 411
