Help with Ancient Eastern attribution

Discussion in 'Ancient Coins' started by kevin McGonigal, Nov 21, 2019.

  1. kevin McGonigal

    kevin McGonigal Well-Known Member

    Need some assistance here. Purchase from coin store junk box. I am guessing maybe an Indo-something, possibly Bactria, Scythian, Elymais. Any help, especially on the inscriptions appreciated. Thanks IMG_1189[2543]Indo-something.jpg IMG_1190[2545]Indo something rev..jpg
     
  2. Avatar

    Guest User Guest



    to hide this ad.
  3. Clonecommanderavgvsvs

    Clonecommanderavgvsvs Well-Known Member

    Top one looks azes I/II and the bottom looks Bactrian
     
    Deacon Ray and kevin McGonigal like this.
  4. Finn235

    Finn235 Well-Known Member

    Bottom is a copper tetradrachm of "Soter Megas" now identified as the Kushan king Vima Takto
     
  5. kevin McGonigal

    kevin McGonigal Well-Known Member

    Yes, it definitely is that coin. from the images I found on the net the one I bought seems to be of good style and not tooo heavily worn. Still looking for confirmation of the smaller one.
     
  6. kevin McGonigal

    kevin McGonigal Well-Known Member

    Yes, right you are. According to what I was able to find on this coin it is a drachma (mine weighs in at 2.5 grams) and seems upon closer examination to be a darkly toned silver, though it may be debased silver. The second coin, the one correctly attributed above as a bronze tetradrachma of the Kushan King Vima Takto, weighs in at 8.5 grams. I have a Bactrian drachma from the Third century BC but it does not look enough like this one for me to have recognized it.

    Having paid $10 for the two of them and seeing what they are selling for on a couple of coin sites I can say that just attributing these coins has been worth the $10 investment. Thanks to both of you for pointing me in the right directions.
     
  7. Clonecommanderavgvsvs

    Clonecommanderavgvsvs Well-Known Member

    No problem I don’t really know much about these but I’ve seen them around enough
     
    kevin McGonigal likes this.
  8. Finn235

    Finn235 Well-Known Member

    kevin McGonigal and 7Calbrey like this.
  9. kevin McGonigal

    kevin McGonigal Well-Known Member

    I have seen the tetradrachmas at shows but did not know that they made drachmas.
     
  10. Quant.Geek

    Quant.Geek Well-Known Member

    The smaller coins should be this one, or similar. Don't have access to my library at the moment, so I can't give you a more precise answer...

    Indo-Scythian: Azilizes (ca. 85-45/35 BCE) AR Tetradrachm (Senior 50.1T)

    Obv: BAΣIΛEΩΣ BAΣIΛEΩN MEΓAΛOY AZIΛIΣOY; King on horseback right, holding spear
    Rev: (Majarajasa rajarajasa mahatasa Ayalishasa); Athena standing left, holding shield with aegis and thunderbolt; monograms in fields

    [​IMG]
     
  11. kevin McGonigal

    kevin McGonigal Well-Known Member

    The features of the coin are much more recognizable as a tetra, especially yours with such little wear. Do you know if the silver of the drachma was good silver or was it heavily debased?
     
Draft saved Draft deleted

Share This Page