Menander I Soter- My set

I know people out here love blended culture. I have assembled a meager collection of this ruler. I find all his coins, quite impressive, even the little bronze ones. His coins are arguably the most abundant of the Indo-Greek Kings. Menander I was probably the most powerful and the most successful of the Indo-Greek kings. He is immortalized as a Buddhist convert and his name Milind has come down to us through the dialog with the Buddhist Sage Nagasena. In "The Questions of Milinda." He is said to have conquered more tribes then Alexander the Great. Yet history remembers him kindly. A truly remarkable Greek. I know there are quite a few types I do not have but I figured I'd show you guys the ones I do. Please feel free to comment.


Menander I 160-145 BC
AE Unit 14.0mm x 12.3mm @ 2.60 grams
Obverse: BASILEWS SWTHPWS MENANDPOY - Bust of Elephant with bell around neck.
Reverse: Kharoshti script- Club of Hercules.
ref: SG7616

Menander I 155-130 BC
AR (Fouree) Drachm 2.06g @ 16.6mm
obverse: Crested Helmeted of Menander-Greek Legend- BASILEWS SWTHPOS MENANDOY
reverse: Kharosthi Legend; Athena Alkidemos left with Zeus' Thunderbolt with shield; monogram right field.
ref. Ancient Forgery

Menander I (165/55 - 130 BC)
AR Drachm 18 mm x 2.42 g
Obverse: BΑSILEWS SWTHPOS ΜΕNANDPOY, Heroic bust of Menander left, holding spear and wearing helmet, diadem and aegis (sometimes described as Pallas).
Reverse: Karosthi inscription - Maharajasa tratarasa menadrasa, Athena, advancing right, brandishing thunderbolt in raised right hand and holding shield on left arm, monogram in the left field. Pushkalavati mint, chief workshop.

Menander I Soter "Savior" (r. c. 155-130 BC)
AR Tetradrachm 26.5mm x 9.63g
Obverse: BΑSILEWS SWTHPOS ΜΕNANDPOY, Diademed Bust if Menander right.
Reverse: Karosthi inscription.-Kharosthi Legend Maharajasa tratarasa menadrasa; Athena Alkidemos left with Zeus' Thunderbolt with shield; monogram right field
ref :SNG ANS 771–781. Bopearachchi Series 13, B

 

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They certainly produced great looking coins

 

Your dates and references are different for almost every entry.

Anyway, that's a decent group of coins. It's good to see another collector who is fascinated by Menander's buddhism.

 

Is the large bronze with the elephant on the obverse like your coin #1, with a caduceus on the reverse Menander? I never can remember.

Anyway, nice looking silvers.

Btw, yeah, Bill is right. I would adjust your dating according to the Persepolis to the Punjab book if you get it. If not, I can give it to you tonight when I get home. Looks like your references disagree on dating, (not uncommon at all in this field).

 

The coin you describe I just bought. I am waiting for it to arrive. That coin was issued earlier by Demetrius I of Bactria c. 200 BC. The elephant is the obverse, as it replaces the head of the king. The kings face is to Great for a "small" denomination.

 

Its a tough coin, grats on getting one. A friend just bought one for $200 at NYINC and its not a great coin really. Its better than mine though, mine is a VF reverse, but barely F obverse, maybe a VG really.

 

Dates of the coin issues.

Hey if you got info by all means please. Its not everyday, we talk about Menander coin dating, Id like to sync my dates with you guys!

 

A couple of my Bactrian silvers -

 

I paid 153.50 shipped ill post pictures when it arrives.

One of the new guys here, Stevex6 has a wicked example of the earlier version discussed!. I was happy to also get the slight 3/4 elephant bust type.

 

No, Maues c.90-57 BC.

 

Geatbunch of coins, A-Dawg!!!

... ummm, is this the coin you were referring to?

Demetrius I Trichalkon with ELEPHANT
200-185 BC
Diameter: 29.5 mm
Weight: 12.61 grams
Bactrian Kings, Demetrius I, bronze Attic trichalkon of:
Obverse: Head of elephant with bell hanging from neck
Reverse: Caduceus.
Reference: Bopearachchi-16, Mitchiner-1086, SNG ANS 209

 

I remember that one Steve - I have a serious case of trunk envy

 

I suppose Maues also. Nice coin. The Demetrius I think is larger right? Steve Great coin.

 

Yes, my Maues is 28mm.

 

Holy Cow- more coins of the region.

This next one had my name on it...Notice the AN monogram...you know Ancient...Noob :hail: Itsfo probably one of my favorite coins. Its got a lot going for it, 2 nice animals, nice legends, silver, square and for a deal. What more could you want out of a Indo-Greek silver...:thumb:

Bactria
Apollodotos I (174-165 BC)
AR Drachm 17.4mm x 17.0mm @ 2.29g
Obverse: Elephant Standing Right- BASILEWS APOLLODOTOY SWTHROS around AN monogram below
Reverse: Kharoshti Legend- Zebu bull standing monogram A

 

that coin is totally awesome AN...one of my favorites.

 

=> Gorgeous lookin' coin, A-Noob!!

ld-guy-smile:

 

What meaning do you attribute to the AN/A letters? Magistrate? Date? Mint? Workshop? Other??? My coin has K/C. I have no idea how many other choices there are.

 

The British Museum is dating Menander from 155 to 130 BC.

 

That fits with what I have. The scholarship for this region is in such a constant state of upheaval that it's difficult to keep up.