This coin represent King Eukratides I of Bactria, a land in central Asia (Afghanistan) that was conquered by Alexander. The adoption of the title 'Great King', implying  More »

This coin represent King Eukratides I of Bactria, a land in central Asia (Afghanistan) that was conquered by Alexander. The adoption of the title 'Great King', implying imperial rather than merely royal status, followed some years after Eukratides' consolidation of control over Bactria. He established himself as king of "the thousand cities of Bactria" and set out to enlarge his kingdom in all directions. While returning from one of his campaigns, he was killed by one of his sons, who seized the throne. Bactrian coins were made to the Greek Standard, and this is one of the most beautiful coins of the late Hellenistic period. Known for their strongly realistic portraits, this tetradrachm of Eukratides is no exception. He is depicted as a formidable warrior, wearing a cuirass and a bronze helmet over his diadem. His features are individualized, his expression stern. On the reverse, the Dioskouroi, Greek heroes noted for their horsemanship and prowess in battle, are shown charging with spears raised. How many hands have touched a coin in your pocket or your purse? What eras and lands have the coin traversed on its journey into our possession? As we reach into our pockets to pull out some change, we rarely hesitate to think of who touched the coin before us, or where the coin will venture to after us. More than money, coins are a symbol of the state that struck them, of a specific time and place, whether contemporary currencies or artifacts of long forgotten empires. This stunning hand-struck coin reveals an expertise of craftsmanship and intricate sculptural detail that is often lacking in contemporary machine-made currencies. This coin is a memorial an ancient king and his kingdom passed from the hands of civilization to civilization, from generation to generation that still appears as vibrant today as the day it was struck. - (LC.127)   « Less

This coin represent King Eukratides I of Bactria, a land in central Asia (Afghanistan) that was conquered by Alexander. The adoption of the title 'Great King', implying  More »

This coin represent King Eukratides I of Bactria, a land in central Asia (Afghanistan) that was conquered by Alexander. The adoption of the title 'Great King', implying imperial rather than merely royal status, followed some years after Eukratides' consolidation of control over Bactria. He established himself as king of "the thousand cities of Bactria" and set out to enlarge his kingdom in all directions. While returning from one of his campaigns, he was killed by one of his sons, who seized the throne. Bactrian coins were made to the Greek Standard, and this is one of the most beautiful coins of the late Hellenistic period. Known for their strongly realistic portraits, this tetradrachm of Eukratides is no exception. He is depicted as a formidable warrior, wearing a cuirass and a bronze helmet over his diadem. His features are individualized, his expression stern. On the reverse, the Dioskouroi, Greek heroes noted for their horsemanship and prowess in battle, are shown charging with spears raised. How many hands have touched a coin in your pocket or your purse? What eras and lands have the coin traversed on its journey into our possession? As we reach into our pockets to pull out some change, we rarely hesitate to think of who touched the coin before us, or where the coin will venture to after us. More than money, coins are a symbol of the state that struck them, of a specific time and place, whether contemporary currencies or artifacts of long forgotten empires. This stunning hand-struck coin reveals an expertise of craftsmanship and intricate sculptural detail that is often lacking in contemporary machine-made currencies. This coin is a memorial an ancient king and his kingdom passed from the hands of civilization to civilization, from generation to generation that still appears as vibrant today as the day it was struck. - (LC.128)   « Less

This coin represent King Eukratides I of Bactria, a land in central Asia (Afghanistan) that was conquered by Alexander. The adoption of the title 'Great King', implying  More »

This coin represent King Eukratides I of Bactria, a land in central Asia (Afghanistan) that was conquered by Alexander. The adoption of the title 'Great King', implying imperial rather than merely royal status, followed some years after Eukratides' consolidation of control over Bactria. He established himself as king of "the thousand cities of Bactria" and set out to enlarge his kingdom in all directions. While returning from one of his campaigns, he was killed by one of his sons, who seized the throne. Bactrian coins were made to the Greek Standard, and this is one of the most beautiful coins of the late Hellenistic period. Known for their strongly realistic portraits, this tetradrachm of Eukratides is no exception. He is depicted as a formidable warrior, wearing a cuirass and a bronze helmet over his diadem. His features are individualized, his expression stern. On the reverse, the Dioskouroi, Greek heroes noted for their horsemanship and prowess in battle, are shown charging with spears raised. How many hands have touched a coin in your pocket or your purse? What eras and lands have the coin traversed on its journey into our possession? As we reach into our pockets to pull out some change, we rarely hesitate to think of who touched the coin before us, or where the coin will venture to after us. More than money, coins are a symbol of the state that struck them, of a specific time and place, whether contemporary currencies or artifacts of long forgotten empires. This stunning hand-struck coin reveals an expertise of craftsmanship and intricate sculptural detail that is often lacking in contemporary machine-made currencies. This coin is a memorial an ancient king and his kingdom passed from the hands of civilization to civilization, from generation to generation that still appears as vibrant today as the day it was struck. - (LC.129)   « Less

The significance of Eukratides I’s rule is in part suggested by the great amount of coinage bearing his image, implying that his reign was both long and economically  More »

The significance of Eukratides I’s rule is in part suggested by the great amount of coinage bearing his image, implying that his reign was both long and economically prosperous. It is believed that he came to power around 171 B.C. after overthrowing the Euthydemid Dynasty that had previously controlled Bactria. Having secured the throne, Eukratides launched an invasion of northwest India, a territory under the authority of the so-called Indo-Greek Kingdoms. After advancing as far as the Indus River, Eukratides’ army was eventually repelled. Meanwhile, as his forces were tied up in the east, Bactria was assaulted from the west by the Parthians under King Mithradates I. This campaign ended with the Parthians seizing two neighboring provinces. History records that Eukratides was murdered around 145 B.C. by his own son while en route back from India. Following his death, civil war broke out among various rival factions of the dynasty competing for power. This instability in turn led to numerous ethnic uprisings throughout the kingdom, eventually leading to the collapse of the Bactrian Kingdom and effectively making Eukratides the last great Greco-Bactrian king. How many hands have touched a coin in your pocket or your purse? What eras and lands have the coin traversed on its journey into our possession? As we reach into our pockets to pull out some change, we rarely hesitate to think of who touched the coin before us, or where the coin will venture to after us. More than money, coins are a symbol of the state that struck them, of a specific time and place, whether contemporary currencies or artifacts of long forgotten empires. Bactrian coins were made to the Greek Standard, and this is one of the most beautiful coins of the late Hellenistic period. Known for their strongly realistic portraits, this tetradrachm of Eukratides is no exception. He is depicted as a formidable warrior, wearing a cuirass and a bronze helmet over his diadem. . The helmet has the bull's ear and horn that appeared on the leopard-skin helmet of Seleukos I and that may have been meant to allude to descent from the Seleucids. His features are individualized, his expression stern. On the reverse, the Dioskouroi, Greek heroes noted for their horsemanship and prowess in battle, are shown charging with spears raised. - (LC.130)   « Less

The significance of Eukratides I’s rule is in part suggested by the great amount of coinage bearing his image, implying that his reign was both long and economically  More »

The significance of Eukratides I’s rule is in part suggested by the great amount of coinage bearing his image, implying that his reign was both long and economically prosperous. It is believed that he came to power around 171 B.C. after overthrowing the Euthydemid Dynasty that had previously controlled Bactria. Having secured the throne, Eukratides launched an invasion of northwest India, a territory under the authority of the so-called Indo-Greek Kingdoms. After advancing as far as the Indus River, Eukratides’ army was eventually repelled. Meanwhile, as his forces were tied up in the east, Bactria was assaulted from the west by the Parthians under King Mithradates I. This campaign ended with the Parthians seizing two neighboring provinces. History records that Eukratides was murdered around 145 B.C. by his own son while en route back from India. Following his death, civil war broke out among various rival factions of the dynasty competing for power. This instability in turn led to numerous ethnic uprisings throughout the kingdom, eventually leading to the collapse of the Bactrian Kingdom and effectively making Eukratides the last great Greco-Bactrian king. How many hands have touched a coin in your pocket or your purse? What eras and lands have the coin traversed on its journey into our possession? As we reach into our pockets to pull out some change, we rarely hesitate to think of who touched the coin before us, or where the coin will venture to after us. More than money, coins are a symbol of the state that struck them, of a specific time and place, whether contemporary currencies or artifacts of long forgotten empires. Bactrian coins were made to the Greek Standard, and this is one of the most beautiful coins of the late Hellenistic period. Known for their strongly realistic portraits, this tetradrachm of Eukratides is no exception. He is depicted as a formidable warrior, wearing a cuirass and a bronze helmet over his diadem. . The helmet has the bull's ear and horn that appeared on the leopard-skin helmet of Seleukos I and that may have been meant to allude to descent from the Seleucids. His features are individualized, his expression stern. On the reverse, the Dioskouroi, Greek heroes noted for their horsemanship and prowess in battle, are shown charging with spears raised. - (LC.147)   « Less

Demetrius I (reigned circa 200-180 B.C.) was the son of King Euthydemos. He first gained recognition as a young prince during negations with Seleucid King Antiochus III  More »

Demetrius I (reigned circa 200-180 B.C.) was the son of King Euthydemos. He first gained recognition as a young prince during negations with Seleucid King Antiochus III following their failed three-year siege of Bactra. King Antiochus was so impressed with Demetrius’ demeanor that he offered one of his daughters in marriage. Following his rise to the throne around 200 B.C., Demetrius began a series of military campaigns, expanding his kingdom’s boundaries beyond their stronghold in modern Afghanistan into parts of eastern Iran and Pakistan. However, Demetrius is perhaps best remembered for his conquest of India. Following the collapse the Mauryan Dynasty at the hands of the general Pusyamitra Sunga, and the subsequent establishment of the Sunga Dynasty in 185 B.C., Bactrian forces under the command of Demetrius I invaded northwestern India. Historians speculate whether this invasion was the result of a military alliance with the Mauryans or was launched in order to protect the Greek populations of the region. What is certain is that Bactrian forces advanced deep into the heart of the subcontinent and set the foundation for the so-called Indo-Greek Kingdom that ruled northwest India for the last two centuries before the common era. The coins struck under Demetrius and his predecessors Euthydemus and Antimachus are purely Greek in style, language and weight. After his campaign into India, Demetrius minted coins such as this stellar example showing himself wearing elephant's scalp, a symbol of India and reference to Alexander the Great’s depictions wearing the lion skin headdress associated with Herakles. How many hands have touched a coin in your pocket or your purse? What eras and lands have the coin traversed on its journey into our possession? As we reach into our pockets to pull out some change, we rarely hesitate to think of who touched the coin before us, or where the coin will venture to after us. More than money, coins are a symbol of the state that struck them, of a specific time and place, whether contemporary currencies or artifacts of long forgotten empires. This stunning hand-struck coin reveals an expertise of craftsmanship and intricate sculptural detail that is often lacking in contemporary machine-made currencies. This coin is a memorial to an ancient king and his kingdom passed from the hands of civilization to, from generation to generation that still appears as vibrant today as the day it was struck. - (LC.148)   « Less

King Apollodotos I was originally a general under the rule of Demetrius until he ascended the throne. Demetrius was the first Indo-Greek ruler who successfully brought most  More »

King Apollodotos I was originally a general under the rule of Demetrius until he ascended the throne. Demetrius was the first Indo-Greek ruler who successfully brought most of the Afganistan, Punjab and Sindh under his control. Thus, Apollodotos inherited this large unified territory and, if his coins are any indication, made a concerted effort to appeal to the traditions of the local population. Perhaps the most striking feature of this coin is its unusual square shape. Before arrival of Indo-Greeks, the local populations had been using rectangular/square shaped punch-marked coins for most transactions. The shape might have also been influenced by economic concerns, for such a coin was sure to be readily accepted by all local merchants. However, this coin bears the depiction of two animals, keeping with the tradition of punch-marked coins. Clearly, Apollodotos sought to continue the native numismatic traditions of his inherited empire, further enforced by the bilingual inscriptions. How many hands have touched a coin in your pocket or your purse? What eras and lands have the coin traversed on its journey into our possession? As we reach into our pockets to pull out some change, we rarely hesitate to think of who touched the coin before us, or where the coin will venture to after us. More than money, coins are a symbol of the state that struck them, of a specific time and place, whether contemporary currencies or artifacts of long forgotten empires. This stunning hand-struck coin reveals an expertise of craftsmanship and intricate sculptural detail that is often lacking in contemporary machine-made currencies. On the reverse of this bilingual coin, the legend in the ancient Indian language Prakrit, written in Kharoshthi script, reads Maharajasa tratasa Apaladatasa and can be translated as “-of the king, savior, Apollodotus.” This coin is a memorial an ancient King and his empire passed from the hands of civilization to civilization, from generation to generation that still appears as vibrant today as the day it was struck. - (C.2218)   « Less

Menander is the only Yavana (person of Greek origin in Indian language) king who has become celebrated in ancient Indian literature. He is known as `Milinda' who had his  More »

Menander is the only Yavana (person of Greek origin in Indian language) king who has become celebrated in ancient Indian literature. He is known as `Milinda' who had his capital at Sakala (modern Sialkot in Pakistan, Euthymedia in Greek). He is one of the main characters in a Pali (ancient language of India) treatise called the Milindpanha (Questions of Milinda). This book describes fundamental principles of Buddhist philosophy, narrated in form of a dialogue between King Milinda and Buddhist scholar Nagasena. Thus Menander, who converted to Buddhism, is well known for Indian historians as a philosopher with superior knowledge in various schools of thought and not as a mighty conqueror. He was born at Charikar, a country between Kabul and Panjshir rivers, a connecting link between Bactria and India. Menander has earned tremendous fame as a great ruler not only in India but also in Greek world. How many hands have touched a coin in your pocket or your purse? What eras and lands have the coin traversed on its journey into our possession? As we reach into our pockets to pull out some change, we rarely hesitate to think of who touched the coin before us, or where the coin will venture to after us. More than money, coins are a symbol of the state that struck them, of a specific time and place, whether contemporary currencies or artifacts of long forgotten empires. This stunning hand-struck coin reveals an expertise of craftsmanship and intricate sculptural detail that is often lacking in contemporary machine-made currencies. The extraordinary numismatic record of Menander shows greater variety and wider distribution than those of any other Indo-Greek ruler. This is a bilingual coin with interrupted legends. On the obverse, the legends are in Greek, translated as, “King Soter Menander.” On the reverse, the legend is in ancient Indian language Prakrit, written in Kharoshthi script, reads Maharajasa tratasa Menandras, translated as “-of the king, savior, Menander.” This coin is a memorial an ancient King and his kingdom passed from the hands of civilization to civilization, from generation to generation that still appears as vibrant today as the day it was struck. - (C.2219)   « Less

From his capital at Taxila, King Antialcidas ruled over northwestern India. He is thought to have reigned from 115-95 B.C., although other scholars believe that he ruled  More »

From his capital at Taxila, King Antialcidas ruled over northwestern India. He is thought to have reigned from 115-95 B.C., although other scholars believe that he ruled earlier, from 130- 120 B.C. It is thought he was part of the Eucratid Dynasty and may have been related to Bactrian King Heliocles I, although he ruled after the fall of the Bactrian Kingdom. Little else is known about Antialcidas, as there are few historical sources documenting the Indo-Greek kingdoms. What we do know about him derived primarily from his coinage and an inscription in Central India. How many hands have touched a coin in your pocket or your purse? What eras and lands have the coin traversed on its journey into our possession? As we reach into our pockets to pull out some change, we rarely hesitate to think of who touched the coin before us, or where the coin will venture to after us. More than money, coins are a symbol of the state that struck them, of a specific time and place, whether contemporary currencies or artifacts of long forgotten empires. This stunning hand-struck coin reveals an expertise of craftsmanship and intricate sculptural detail that is often lacking in contemporary machine-made currencies. This coin is a memorial an ancient king and his kingdom passed from the hands of civilization to civilization, from generation to generation that still appears as vibrant today as the day it was struck. - (C.2224)   « Less

Like many of the Indo-Greek kings, little is known about the life and reign of King Strato I. He is believed to have ascended to the throne at an early age, and his mother  More »

Like many of the Indo-Greek kings, little is known about the life and reign of King Strato I. He is believed to have ascended to the throne at an early age, and his mother Queen Agathokleia presumably acted as regent. His father’s identity, however, remains mysterious. Originally, scholars speculated that Strato was the son of the great King Menander I, placing his reign around 130-110 B.C. However, recent research seems to indicate he ruled later on, approximately 110-85 B.C. To make matters more confusing, there are others who propose, based on numismatic evidence, that Strato I was actually two different kings who ruled separate territories simultaneously. In this scenario, one Strato is the youthful son of Agathokleia and the other Strato may have been her brother. That being said, on his coinage, Strato’s portraits show him aging from youth to middle age. He is the only Indo-Greek king to be depicted with a beard, as if to assert his maturity. As the king ages, Agathokleia’s importance is gradually diminished and her name disappears from the legend on his coinage. How many hands have touched a coin in your pocket or your purse? What eras and lands have the coin traversed on its journey into our possession? As we reach into our pockets to pull out some change, we rarely hesitate to think of who touched the coin before us, or where the coin will venture to after us. More than money, coins are a symbol of the state that struck them, of a specific time and place, whether contemporary currencies or artifacts of long forgotten empires. This stunning hand-struck coin reveals an expertise of craftsmanship and intricate sculptural detail that is often lacking in contemporary machine-made currencies. The inscription of the obverse of this bilingual coin is in Greek, while the reverse legend is the ancient Indian language Prakrit, written in Kharoshthi script, reading Maharajasa tratasa Stratasa and can be translated as “-of the king, savior, Strato.” This coin is a memorial an ancient king and his empire passed from the hands of civilization to civilization, from generation to generation that still appears as vibrant today as the day it was struck. - (C.2252)   « Less