Message:

<p>[QUOTE=&quot;Parthicus, post: 26538446, member: 81887&quot;][ATTACH=full]1691357[/ATTACH] </p><p>Bactrian/Indo-Greek.&nbsp; Square AE chalkos.&nbsp; Menander (c. 160- 145 BCE).&nbsp; Obverse: Head of elephant right wearing bell around neck, Greek legend around BASILEOS SOTEROS MENANDROY (of the King and Savior Menander). Reverse: Club, monograms to left and right, Kharoshti legend around.&nbsp; Sear Greek 7616.&nbsp; This coin: Purchased from Allen G. Berman at the Baltimore Whitman Coin Expo, November 7, 2025.</p><p><br /></p><p>The Indo-Greek kingdom is an offshoot of the Bactrian kingdom, a Hellenistic kingdom established by Diodotus I, Seleucid satrap of Bactria, c.250 BCE. The Indo-Greeks moved south of Bactria into northern India/Pakistan and became independent of their Bactrian predecessors. Indo-Greek history, unfortunately, is poorly understood, as there are very few surviving written records, and there often seem to be multiple rulers simultaneously, each ruling only a portion of the Indo-Greek realm. Even the dates of the kings are highly uncertain, with different sources giving different ranges.</p><p><br /></p><p>Menander reigned about 160- 145 BCE, though different sources list slightly earlier or later dates.&nbsp; He seems to have originated from Bactria and been a co-ruler (or possibly co-equal, separate ruler) with Apollodotus in expanding south out of Bactria and into India/Pakistan.&nbsp; He was a patron of Buddhism and is recorded in Buddhist texts as having lengthy conversations with Buddhist scholars.&nbsp; He issued a large amount of coinage, both round and square, in both silver and bronze.&nbsp; Most of his coins are bilingual, with the same basic inscription given in both Greek and Kharoshti (a script used to write various Indian languages).&nbsp; He was apparently succeeded by his son Strato (with his widow Agathokleia initially serving as regent).&nbsp; This is a pleasant little bronze, nicer in hand than the photo shows, and I was happy to get it at a good price.&nbsp; Please post whatever related coins you have.[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

Your name or email address:

Do you already have an account?

• No, create an account now.
• Yes, my password is:
• Forgot your password?

Stay logged in