Indo-Greek Coins (205)

Posted by The Great History of Humanity March 01, 2023

Indo-Greek Coins (205)

INDO-GREEK COINS

Importance of Indo Greek Coins :

To the students of ancient Indian history, coins and inscriptions are of great value for they are most trustworthy materials. They not only corroborates facts known from other sources but also supply information otherwise unknown.

For the history of the Greek kings who ruled in Bactria and Northwestern part of India, our information is extremely meager. Classical Greek writers casually referred to a few of the earlier princes and a few events of their careers associated with northwestern part of India

Indian literature also give not much information about their north western neighbours. We find only a few kings listed in Indian literature. Although YAVANA word synonymous of Greeks are found frequently mention in the texts.

But discovery of Indo-Greek coins opens an entirely new horizon in our understanding of Indo-Greek Kings. Thanks to the discovery of coins now we know atleast 42 Indo-Greek kings who ruled in Bactria and Northwest India. Their rule was not brief but spanned over a considerable period of time. (200-50 BC). These coin suggests not only name but also give fair idea about their life and events, dresses etc

Some important aspects of coins

Coin making Techniques
Attire
Deities
Iconographic pecularities
Economic condition
Epithet and Legend
Languages
Process of Indianization

Attic Standard Weight or Euboic Standard Weight

Attic was standard system of weight followed first in Athens and then spread throughout Ancient Greek after Alexander the great's conquest. In this system, coins of silver, Gold and copper were used under various weight standard some of them are given below:-

SILVER (Drachma):

1 Drachma = 4.30 gram = 66 Grains (1 Gram = 15.43 Grains)

1 Drachma = 6 obloi (Small Metal Rods) = 6 x 0.72 = 4.32

1 Obol = 0.72 Gram

1 Tretartemoria = 0.18 Gram

1 Hemidrachma = 2.15 grams = 33 Grains

1 Tetradrachm = 4 Drachma = 264 Grains

1 DecaDrachm = 10 Drachms = 660 Grains

1 Double DecaDrachm = 20 Drachms = 1300 Grains

1 Attic Talent = 60 Mina = 60 x 100 = 6,000 Drachma = 25.80 Kilogram

Greek Fine Art - Menander - Gandhara Silver Coin - 130 BC - Obverse side

Gold :

1 Stater = 8.6 Grams = 132 Grains (1 Gram = 15.43 Grains)

GOLD STATER OF DIODOTOS I OF BACTRIA

Copper :

1 Chalkon = 66 Grains = 4.3 Grams

1 Diachalkon = 134.4 grains = 8.6 Grams

COPPER CHALKON

Relation among Gold, Silver, Copper Coins

1 Coin of Stater = 20 coins of Drachma (8.6 Grams of Gold = 86 Grams of Silver)

1 coin of Drachma = 48 Chalkous [ 66 grains {4.30 Gram} of Silver = 3168 grains {206.3 gram} of copper]

Indian Standard Coins System:

Some of the Greek kings issued coins both in Indian and Attic standard.

Demetrius-I, Eucratides-I, Heliocles, Apollodotus-I. Among these Eucratides-I was the first person to introduce coin in Indian standard. Only two types of coins were issued.

1- Drachma

2- Tetradrachma

(1 grain = 0.065 gram)

1 Karsha (Silver) = 44.8 grains = 2.912 gram

1 Panas (Copper) = 140 Grains = 9.1 gram

1 Karsha of silver = 16 Panas of copper [ 44.8 grain {2.9 gram} of silver = 2240 grains {145.6 gram} of copper]

Silver (Karsha) of Antialcidas (c. 115-95 BCE)

Silver (Karsha) of Apollodotus I

Copper (Pana) of Agathocles

Copper (Pana) of Antimachus

CLASSES OF COINS BASED ON THEIR QUALITY :

Bactrian Class (Kabul Mint) -

It was superior class of coin minting, these types of coins were elegantly minted. The area of spread was around Upper Kabul Valley, where direct influence of Seleucid world can be observed.

Earlier, this part of the region was known as Alexander's Satrapy of paropamisade. Bactiran culture persisted in its purest form. The coins of Heliocles, Strato-I, Archebius, Amyntas and Hermaeus.

Silver tetradrachm of Heliocles (145–130 BCE)
Obv: Bust of Heliocles
Rev: Zeus standing, with thunderbolt and sceptre. Greek legend: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΔΙΚΑΙΟΥ ΗΛΙΟΚΛΕΟΥΣ (BASILEOS DIKAIOU HELIOKLEOUS) "Of King Heliocles the Just".

Strato I (c. 125-110 BCE)

Amyntas (c. 95-90 BCE)

Gandhara Class : -

The coins found from this region are of secondary quality (intermediate class). The area include Taxila, Peshawar, Rawalpindi, Hazara, Punch, Kapisha (Kafiristan), salt range

Satrapy of Philip son of Machatas
Together with the satrapy of Abhisara.

Example : The coins of Menander-I, Philoxenus, Antialcidas, Diomedes, Apollidotus-I, Lysias, Antimachus-II

Menander I Soter

Apollodotus I

Coin of king Lysias (r. c. 120–110 BCE).
Obv. King Lysias with elephant head. Greek legend ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΝΙΚΗΤΟΥ ΛΥΣΙΟΥ "Of Invincible King Lysias".
Rev. Nude Herakles standing facing, crowning himself, holding club, lion's skin, and palm (variation of Demetrius I type. Monograms. Kharoshti legend, translation of the Greek.

Punjab Class : -

This was the eastern part of the Indo-Greek Empire, the coins found from here are of inferior quality.

Example : coins of Zoilus-II, Dionysius, Apollodotus-II, Apollophanes and Strato-II.

Zoilus I Silver drachm

Dionysus Soter

Various types of coins issued by Kings

Obol (Silver) – Demetrius-I, Euthydemus-II, Pantaleon, Agathocles, Antimachus-I, Eucratides-I

Hemi-Drachm (silver) – Antimachus-I, Agathocles, Apollodotus-I

Gold coins (Stater) – Diodotus, Euthydemus-I, Eucratides-I issued coins in Bactria. Menander's Queen Agathocleia issued coins in India

Cupro-Nickel coins (Copper 80% + Nickel 20%) - Euthydemus-II, Pantaleon, Agathocles

Copper Coins -

Features of Indo-Greek Coins :

Fineness of the coin -

Most Gold coins are in possible purest form. Silver coins of Bactrian rulers are finely pure. Most of the Indo-Greek Rulers issued coins in pure Silver but later ruler debased the value of the coins indicating destabilization in Indo-Greek rule.
Shape -

Greek legend coins are circular but Indian issued coins are bilingual and Square/rectangular.
Method of Minting -

Indo Greeks employed Die-striking method, they used two dies made of hard metal.

Indo Greeks did not used collar to keep coin in perfect shape.
Sculptural effect is prominent on the kings portraits in coin. Seems likely that well sculptured bust of the kings were duly supplied to the mint artists for engraving the same image on coin.
Delineate faithful representation of the royal image
Kings depicted on different stage of manhood, through portraits on coins issued during his tenure.
Axis -

Early Seleucid coins had opposite axis, both obverse and reverse side were in opposite axis. Early Bactrian followed the same but later adopted same axis for both obverse and reverse. Same axis is noticed in Indo Greek coins too.
Device -

Attic Obverse : Portrait of the king bust

Attic Reverse : Name, Title of the king in Greek script with deity image in the middle, symbol of the King/dynasty

Attic Standard coin of Eucratides I

Indian Obverse : Name and title in Greek script around the portrait of the king

Indian Reverse : Name and legend in Kharosthi/Brahmi script around the image of the deity, Mark of the king/dynasty

Indian Standard coin of Diomedes (c. 95-90 BCE)

Depiction of the King in Indo-Greek coins :

The Greek kings depicted in coins in various ways, sometimes only head was depicted, sometimes bust with shoulders were included

There were depicted cleans shaved, curly hair, breaded etc

But this was not the norm kings like Apollodotus-I, Antimachus-II, Telephus never showed bust on their coins.

Agathocles with Bust, fillet diadem , curly hair and clean shave

Alexander on Agathocles commemorative coin only head no bust, facial expression faithful rendering

Agathocles old age curly hair, one may notice wrinkles on the face

Amyntas different fillet diadem, hair style, clean shave

Young Antiochus I, diadem curly hair clean shave

Demetrius Coin: Depiction of Herakles curly hair and beard, long aquiline nose, poignant face

Hermois Soter Diademed and draped, Short hair looks African

Head Gear of the Indo Greek Kings :

Fillet diadem (Tainia) = Agathocles

Agathocles
Diadem = Euthydemos-II
Euthydemos II coin, Demeter with Diadem on head
Elephant Shape Scalp = Demetrius
Demetrius

Agathocles
Lion head shape cap = Alexander the Great
Alexander type pedigree coin
Smooth Crested Helmet = Eucratides-I & Plato
Menander I Soter smooth crest helmet
Menander- I Soter

Menander-I Soter

Philoxenus coin, Athena at left wearing smooth crest helmet

Antialcidas (c. 115-95 BCE)

Diomedes (c. 95-90 BCE)
Kausia (Petasus) = Antimachus-I, Apollodotus-I
Apollodotus - I

Phrygian Cap - Hermois Soter, Amyntas

Hermaios Soter Æ 18mm. Circa 105-90 BC. Bust of Zeus-Mithras to right, wearing Phrygian cap; BAΣIΛEΩΣ ΣΩTHPOΣ EPMAIOY around / 'Maharajasa tratarasa Hiramayasa' in Kharosthi, horse standing to right with foreleg raised; monogram below

Amyntas with Phyrgian Cap

Crest Helmet with ear and horn of a bull = Eucratides – I, Amyntas
Amyntas (c. 95-90 BCE)
Crest Helmet with Head and wings of Medussa = Menander
Menander - I With depiction of Medussa Gorgon

10. Pillos (Pillium, Cap)
The Discuri (Castor and Pollux) Greek Heroes are often depicted wearing this hat.
Silver Drachma of Eucratides I showing Discuri wearing Pillos

11. Corinthian Helmet :
Athena is shown wearing this king of Helmet
Silver Drachma of Lysimachus showing Athena wearing Corinthian Helmet

12. Other Helmets : -

Sophytes (Young) - Seleucid Empire, Crested Atti Helmet decorated with laurel wreath, Cheek cover wing shape

Sophytes 80/78-270 BC.AR Tetradrachm (28mm, 16.98 g, 6h).
Obverse:King wearing crested Attic helmet decorated with laurel wreath and wing on cheek piece
Reverse: ΣΩΦΥΤΟΥ, cock standing right; kerykeion to left

Apollophanes smooth Tope style helmet

Border Around the coin periphery :

Pallet border = dots and reels (generally on small coins)
2. Astragalus Border = Beads (generally on large coins)

Eucratides - I Dotted Border

Dotted Border

Menander-I - Border Beads and Reels

Eucratides-I - Border Beads and Reels

Astragalus Border (Courtesy : CSVSM, Mumbai)

Deities on Indo-Greek Coins :

Apollo : The olympian God associated with music, poetry, art, prophecy, truth, archery, plague, healing, sun and light
Antiochos
Nude Apollo seated left on omphalos, leaning on bow with left hand,
holding arrow in right hand
a) He is shown naked, standing, holding a bow and arrow on obverse side

Apollodotus - I Coin Obverse side : Apollo , Reverse side : Tripod lebes

Apollodotus - I Coin Obverse side : Apollo, Reverse side : Tripod lebes

b) sometimes shown with elephant

c) Sometimes only bust of Apollo is shown eg. Strato-I, Eucratides-II, Euthydemus-II coins
Strato-I, Apollo (Obverse), Quiver and Bow(Reverse)

d) Sometimes only symbols are depicted as a representation of Apollo – Tripod-lebes

Euthydemus II Coin depicts Tripod Lebes

Artemis : Artemis is the goddess of the hunt, the wilderness, wild animals, nature, vegetation, childbirth, care of children.

a) Standing with bow, arrow and quiver
Artemidoros coin

Artemidoros coin

Artemidoros coin
b) Zeus-headed coins of Diodotos-II depict Artemis on reverse side running with a torch.
Diodotos II coin. Circa 235-225 BC. Æ Unit (22mm, 7.84 g). Aï Khanoum mint. Diademed head of Zeus right / Artemis advancing right, holding torch.

c) Bust of Herakles coin of Demetrius depicts Artemis on reverse holding bow in left hand & drawing an arrow from quiver with right hand.

Demetrius I coin ,Bearded and diademed bust of Herakles to right, with club over shoulder. Radiant standing figure of Artemis, facing, holding a bow in her left hand and drawing an arrow from a quiver with her right hand

Athena (Pallas) : Athena Alkidemos (defender of the people), Goddess of Intelligence and war

a) Shown as standing well armoured holding a lance and a shield.

Demetrious - II Coin
Amyntas, Athena on right

b) Shown as hurling thunderbolt.
Strato-I Coin

Menander - I

Menander - I

Menander - I
c) Coins of Strato-I depicts Helmet wearing shield holding deity also holding Nike on her Palm.
Apollodotus-I, Athena and Nike

Apollodotus-I, Athena and Nike

Lysimachus of Thrace - Athena and Nike

d) Coin of Theophilus depicts Seated Athena.
Theophilus coin
e) Sometimes Athena is shown standing on the right hand of Zeus.
Amyntas Coin - Seated Zeus with Athena on his right hand

Amyntas Coin - Seated Zeus with Athena on his right hand

Amyntas Coin - Seated Zeus with Athena on his right hand

f) Sometimes Obverse side of the coin shows Helmeted bust most probably Athena. (Below Image)

g) Two symbols shown are associated with Athena –
1) Horned Owl, 2) Aegis Shield with head of the Medussa gorgon in the front.

Menander - I Obv: Helmet Bust of Athena and Rev: Horned Owl

Menander - I Obv: Athena, Rev: Shield of Athena

Menander - I Aegis shield with head of Medusa Gorgon

Demeter : Goddess of Harvest and Agriculture, she also appeared as a goddess of health, birth, and marriage.

a) Shown enthroned

b) Demeter is shown standing and holding cornucopia
Hippostratos (c. 65-55 BCE)

Theophilus Coin - Cornucopia

c) Some coins depict female deity, generally perceived as city goddesses could be a representation of Demeter.

Philoxenus (c. 100-95 BCE)

Dionysus : Olympian god of wine, vegetation, pleasure, festivity, madness and wild frenzy.

a) Coins depict bust of Dionysus
Agathocles - Dionysus Bust and Panther on Reverse

b) Sometimes Dionysus is represented with its symbol figure of a panther.

Menander-II - Panther

Pantaleon - Panther

Diskuroi :Castor and Pollux (or Polydeuces) are twin half-brothers in Greek mythology, known together as the Dioscuri. Exellent Horsemen and warrior, they were member of Jason's Argonauts.

a) Coins depict both Castor and Pullix mounted on horseback charging with spear in same direction. Horses looking at each other
Eucratides-I coin

Eucratides-I coin

Eucratides-I coin

Diomedes (c. 95-90 BCE)

Diomedes (c. 95-90 BCE)

b) Some coins depict Castor and Pullox standing facing each other holding long spear and sword.
Diomedes (c. 95-90 BCE)
c) Sometimes Diskuroi is represented with symbols = Palms and Pilloi

Eucratides - I

Antialcidas Coin : Palm and Pilloi

Hekate : Three headed Goddess

a) She is shown on coins, standing on the outstretched palm of right hand of Zeus who is sometimes standing and sometimes enthroned. Holding torch in bother of ther hands. eg. Silver coins of Pantaleon, Agathocles.
Pantaleon Coin

Agathocles coin

Agathocles coin, Zeus holding Hekate

Hekate in Halicarnassus. Hadrian. AD 117-138

Helios : The original Titan Sun God

a) Coins depict Helios with radiating head, flowing drapery, driving a quadriga (chariot with four horses) to the right
Plato Coin

Plato Coin

Plato Coin

Epiphanes, ca. 145-140 BC. Silver

b) Sometimes shown as standing with raised hand & scepter.

Artemidoros coin

Artemidoros Coin

Herakles : Hero of Greek Mythology, a valiant demigod, son of Zeus Who had to pass thruogh 12 labours.

a) Shown with club, bow etc

b) standing with club and lion-skin
Agathocles

c) On the coin of Euthydemus, nude Herakles sits on the rock with his club resting either on stone or knees.
Euthydemos - I

Euthydemos - I

Euthydemos - I

d) On the silver coin of Demetrius-I depicts Herakles standing crowning himself.
Demetrious - I

Lysias Coin

e) on some coins crowned Herakles holding a wreath in right hand and club, lion skin in left hand.
Euthydemos - II
Zoilos - I

f) Rare coin shows Herakles standing & winged Nike crowning him standing on his shoulders.
Zoilus-I, Winged Nike on the shoulder of Herakles

g) some coins only show bust of Herakles

Demetrios - I bust of Herakles
Zoilus-I Coin , Obv: Herakles Bust, Rev: club and Bow-quiver with in the wreath

h) some of the coins only show symbols representing Herakles such as Club, Lion Skin

Menander - I - Club

Menander - I - Lion Skin

Nike : Goddess of Victory and Good Luck Messenger

a) Coin Depicts Nike with wreath and Palm branch

Artemidoros Coin

Artemidoros Coin
Epander Coin, Nike on Left

b) Some of the coins she is depicted standing on the outstretched palm of the right hand of Zeus.
Antialcidas coin, Nike on Zeus right palm

Antialcidas coin, Zeus enthroned Nike standing on his palm and depiction of Elephant

c) Some of the coin depict Nike standing on the elephant walking beside Zeus.
Antialcidas Coin, Zeus in front, A Elephant walking in background Nike standing on his head

d) On the copper coin of Antimachus-I, Nike is standing on the prow of a ship.

Demetrius Poliorketes coin - Nike Standing on the prow of a ship

Eucratides-I Coin, Seated Nike

Antimachus-II coin, Butterfly and Wreath Tiarium (Nikes)

Poseidon : Brother of Zeus and God of sea.

a) Poseidon is shown as holding trident and Palm branch in his hands
Antimachos-I coin

b) Sometimes Poseidon is shown as enthroned and holding trident and Palm.

c) Some of the coin only depict Trident as a symbol of Poseidon.

Demetrios - I, Rev: Trident

Zeus : The King of all Gods (Olympians), God of rain and Thunder.

a) Coins depict Zeus shielded by Aegis brandishing thunderbolt in his right hand, standing towards left with eagle on his feet.
Diodotus - II

Diodotus - I

Agathocles coin, Zeus hurling thunderbolt

b) Zeus is shown having beard, clad in himation, holding long scepter in his left hand and thunderbolt in his right hand. (Demestrus-I, Heliocles-II)
Heliocles-II

Heliocles-II
Archebios Coin

Peucolaus coin, Zeus standing right hand raised gesture of benediction

c) Scepter holding Zeus walk by the side of an elephant that carries Nike goddess.

Antialcidas coin, Zeus with walking elephant and Nike standing on elephant

Antialcidas coin, Zeus seated holding nike in his right palm

Some Coins depict Zeus holding Athena on his hand
Amyntas Coin

Amyntas Coin

Amyntas Coin

d) Some of the coins depict Zeus holding Hekate on the palm of his right hand. (Agathocles, Pantaleon)
Agathocles coin, Zeus holding Hekate

e) on some coins Zeus bust is shown holding thunderbolt in his right hand.
Antialcidas Coin

Antialcidas Coin

f) Some coins also depict Zeus holding Eagle.
Agathocles Pedigree coins, Zeus holding eagle

g) Enthroned Zeus as holding palm and wreath of Nike.
Antialcidas Coin, zeus holding Palm and wreath
Antialcidas coin, Zeus seated with wreath and Palm

h) Coin of Hermaeus, Zeus holding pair of Calipers
Hermaeus coin, Zeus with radiating head

Hermaeus coin

Hermaeus coin

i) Sometimes Zeus shown bare headed and sometimes decorated with diadem.

Hermes : Never Appeared on Indo-Greek coins but his emblem Caduceus appear on some coins

Demetrious - I Caduceus

Unidentified Goddess (Deities)

a) Hippostratus – Triton and Tyche
Hippostratus coin - Triton and Tyche

b) Peucolaus – Artemis and Unknown Goddess
Peucolaus, Obv: Artemis drawing arrow, Rev: Unknown Goddess

c) Hippostratus – Enthrone deity on horse reverse copper coin
Hippostratus Coin, Seated deity (Unknown)

d) Eucratides-I – Square copper piece coin, kings helmet bust, Reverse : enthroned palm bearing deity with Mural crown.

Eucratides-I, Seated Deity (Unknown)

Agathocles coin - Vasudeva and Samakarshana

Agathocles , Unknown Deity holding Lotus in her right hand

Agathocles, Tree inside railing and Mountain symbols (Buddhism)

Animals depicted on Indo Greek coins :

Full Size : Bull, Camel, Elephant, Horse, Panther, Dolphin

Philoxenus (c. 100-95 BCE) - Bull

Apollodotus - I - Elephant Bull

Apollodotus - I

Artemidoros - I

Artemidoros Horse

Epander

Euthydemos - I Horse

Heliocles II (c. 110-100 BCE) Elephant

Pantaleon Panther

Menander II (c. 90-85 BCE) - Panther

Menander-I Elephant and Goad

Menander - I Double humped camel

Hippostratus coin - God Triton Holding Dolphin

Nicias Coin - Dolphin Entwined with Anchor

Head only : Boar, Elephant, Ox

Menander-I Elephant head

Demetrios - I Elephant Head

Menander- I Bull Head

Menander - I Soter : Boar Head (Obverse), Palm Branch (Reverse)

Bird : Cock, Horned Owl, Hawk

Menander - I Soter - Horned Owl

Sophytes Greco-Bactria - Cock

Menander - I soter

Nikephoros

Archebios Coin

SPECIAL TYPES OF COINS :

Commemorative Coin :

These coins were issued on any special event like victory, memory of earlier great kings, also called as pedigree coins. for this they struck bust head of the great predecessors on the obverse side of the coins and engraved legend on their name and reverse side bore name nad his title.

a) Commemorative coins issued on the memory of earlier kings.

Coins of Antimachus-I :

Depiction of Diodotus-I – diadem bust

Antimachus pedigree coin depicting Diodotus-I

Depiction of Euthydemus-I – diadem bust

Antimachus-I pedigree coin depicting Eutheydemos-I

Coins of Agathocles :

Depiction of Alexander's head in lion skin

Alexander head on Agathocles coin

Depiction of Antiochus – I diadem bust

Antiochus Bust on Agathocles coin

Depiction of Euthydemus-I diadem bust

Euthydemus-I Bust on Agathocles coin

Depiction of Demetrius-I diadem bust in elephant's scalp

Demetrius-I Bust on Agathocles coin

Depiction of Pantaleon diadem bust in elephant's scalp

Pantaleon Bust on Agathocles coin

Coins of Eucratides-I :

Depiction of Mother & Father (Heliocles and Laodice)

Eucratides-I coin - Heliocles and Laodice

b) Victory coins or Medallion :

These types of coins are generally large in size and were not issued in bulk for use. They were issued for special purpose for example to commemorate a great victory. These coins were issued in Attic standard.

Victory coin of Eucratides-I – double Deca stater (Gold) = 20 Stater = 2603.7 grains = 169.2 grams

Victory coin of Amyntas – Attic double Deca Drachms (Silver) = 20 Drachm = 1300 grains = 84.5 grams

Amyntas Silaver Double Deca Drachma

A legend less victory coin showing an Elephant with two riders going in left direction and attacking with spears the chasing horse rider holding a long spear (Obverse), A well armoured man standing holding a long spear in left being crowned by Nike (Reverse) in Attic Deca Drachm (Silver) = 10 Drachm = 650 grains = 42.25 grams

c) Joint Issue coins :

Some of the coins were issued jointly by kings and their family members.

1 – Queen Agathocleia (Obverse) and Strato- I (Reverse)

2 – Conjugate Bust

3 – Strato-II and Grandson Strato-III

Basileos Soteros Stratonos kai phil Stratonos ... King Strato, the saviour, and his son, Strato)

4 – Conjugate Issue – Hermaeus with his wife queen Calliope

(Basileos Soteros Hermaiou kai Callioes ... of King and Saviour Hermaios and Calliope), Helmeted King mounted on horse prancing right,

5 – Lysias with Antialcidas (A mule coin) contains Obverse of Lysias and Reverse of Antialcidas

d) OverStruck Coins :

Some of the coins were issued by overstrucking other earlier coins. All of these types of coins are found in copper/bronze.

- a bronze coin in the name of Eucratides-I overstruck on a coin of Apollodotos,

(a) Legend of Eucratides Kavisiye/nagara/devata.
(b) Legend of Apollodotos Maharajasa/Apaladatasa/tra[tarasa].

- Heliocles i over Demetrios ii. (Staatlihe Museen of Berlin, Acc. No. 1875,)

silver unilingual drachm (2.92 g) of Heliocles I with the types
“diademed bust/standing Zeus holding thunderbolt”

- Heliocles-II over strato and Agathocleia (British Museum)

bronze coins of Heliocles II with the types “bust of the sovereign / elephant” overstruck on coins of Strato and Agathocleia with the types “bust of Athena/Herakles sitting on a rock”

LANGUAGE USED ON COINS :

In Bactria, Greek script was used on Reverse side while there was no script on obverse only image is depicted.

While in India : Obverse contained Greek script and language and Reverse side contained Kharosthi/ Brahmi script and Prakrit Language.

Legends and their meanings :

Greek Epithet	English Transliteration	English Meaning	Prakrit equivalent	Example
Ἀνίκητος	Anikētos	Invincible	Apadhihata, Aprajita	Demetrius I Anicetus
Δικαῖος	Dikaios	The Just	Dharmikasa	Agathocles I Dicaeus, Zoilus I Dicaeus
Θεός	Theos			Anthimachus I Theos
Σωτήρ	Soter	The Saviour	Tratarasa	Demetrius I Soter
Νικηφόρος	Nikephoros	the Victorious	Jayadhara	Antimachus II Nikephoros
ΜΕΓΑΣ	Mégas	The Great	Mahatasa (Mahataka)	Eucratides I the Great
Θεότροποςa	Theotropus	The Goddess-like		Agathoclea Theotropus
Ἐπιφανῆςa	Epiphanēs	The Illustrious	Pratyaksha, Prachhaya	Polyxenus Epiphanes Soter
Νικάτωρ	Nikatōr	The Conqueror	JAYAMTASA	Amyntas Nicator
Εὐεργέτης EYEPΓETOY	Euergetēs	the Benefactor	Kalanakramasa	Telephus Euergetes
ΦΙΛΟΠΑΤΟΡΟΣ	Philopator	The Fatherloving	PriyaPita	Strato III Philopator, Apollodotus the Great, Saviour & Fatherloving King
ΑΥΤΟΚΡΑΤΟΡΟΣ	Autokrator	Self Ruler		Theophilos Autokrator

Monogram :

The Indo-Greek Coins invariable depict a weird curious symbols known as monogram. these monograms varies from coin to coin and king to king, Sometimes they are repeated even incase of change in king or dynasty. Hence, there actual significance is not clear, although their apparent importance is quite evident for Indo greek Rulers.

The symbols found on reverse side of Indo-Greek coins. These little marks are sometimes different on different coins whether the coin belongs to same king or different kings. Sometimes the symbol of any two coins are equal irrespective of the kings.

The symbols apparently composed of two or more letters but unfortunately we do not know what exactly they meant by in ancient times. However, many scholars have tried to predict their meaning. Some suggested its association with the issuing dynasty, some suggestion goes for the particular mint mark or some even went far to suggest these symbols as de-notion of issuing year. But none of the claim is tenable or verifiable in the absence of any valid evidence.

Search This Blog

The Great History of Humanity