Well, I was going to focus on Greek coins this year...but this has a Greek legend on one side, so that still counts in my book. Nice lookin' little drachm, struck in relatively high relief. Man, look at that shield! That gorgon head is killer! Also kind of cool that the legend below the bust is "right side up" so you don't have to rotate the coin to read anything. Menander I, AR drachm, 160-130 BC O: Busst of king right, Greek legend around: BAΣIΛEΩΣ ΣΩTHPOΣ // MENANΔPOY ("Savior King Menander") R: Athena Alkidemos standing left, holding aegis on outstretched left arm, hurling thunderbolt with right hand, monogram at right, Kharoshthi legend. 18 mm, 2.3 g Mendander was an interesting guy, successful ruler and military leader, and a convert to Hinduism Buddhism. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Menander_I Feel free to share your Indo-Greeks!
COOL @chrsmat71 ! Really cool! Gorgon, centering, quality... nice! Looks like Athena is LIFTING UP A TURTLE!!! He is even ruminating as he chews on a piece of grass... I snared this one off @Ancientnoob some time ago... Asia, Bactria Indo-Greek Kingdom House of Euthydemus Menander I Soter (Milinda Panha) BCE 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.
Very nice. 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. Indi-Greek Kingdom Imitation AR Drachm O: BASILEUS SUTHPOS EPMAIOY; Draped and diademed bust of Hermaios right. R: 'Maharaja Tratarasa Hermayasa' in Kharosthi script; Zeus enthroned left and holding sceptre, Monogram in left field. 2g 17mm Bopearachchi Series 15C, 91; Senior issue 36
I haven't any Indo Greeks to share, but when I see terrific coins like yours and Alegandron's it sparks my interest.
Great coin @chrsmat71 I really like it. I picked up my first Indo-Greek at the end of 2017, also a coin of Menander. Menander I Soter AR Drachm 155-130 BC. 18mm, 2.46 g Obv: Diademed heroic bust left, seen from behind, wearing aegis and brandishing spear. Rev: Athena Alkedimos advancing left, holding shield and thunderbolt; monogram to right. Bopearachchi 7A
Very nice! But I believe you mean a convert to Buddhism, correct? 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
