Ancient coins of Bactria and North-West India
















832

Bactria and North-West India



Bopearachchi, O. Monnaies Gréco-Bactriennes et Indo-Grecques. (Paris, 1991).

Bopearachchi, O & A. ur Rahman. Pre-Kushana Coins in Pakistan. (Karachi, 1995).

Bopearachchi. O. "Sophytes, the Enigmatic Ruler" in Nomismatika Khronika 15 (1996).
Cunningham, A. Coins of Alexander’s Successors in the East. (1873; reprint Chicago, 1969).
Gardner, P. The Coins of the Greek and Scythic Kings of Bactria and India in the British Museum. (London, 1886).

Mitchiner, M. Indo-Greek and Indo-Scythian Coinage. (London, 1975-1976).

Mitchiner, M. Oriental Coins: the Ancient and Classical World. (London, 1978).
Rapson, E. J. Indian Coins in Bühler’s Grundriss der Indo-arischen Philologie. (1898).
Sear, D. Greek Coins and Their Values, Volume 2, Asia and Africa. (London, 1979).
Smith, V. A. Cat. of Coins in the Indian Museum, Calcutta, vol. I. (1906).



Sylloge Nummorum Graecorum, Denmark, The Royal Collection of Coins and Medals, Danish National Museum, Volume 7: Cyprus to India. (New Jersey, 1982).

Sylloge Nummorum Graecorum, The Collection of the American Numismatic Society, Part 9: Graeco-Bactrian and Indo-Greek Coins. (New York, 1998).

Von Sallet, A. "Die Nachfolger Alexanders d. Gr. in Bactrien u. Indien" in Z. f. N. 1879-83.


During the Persian rule from the time of Darius, circ. B.C. 500, down
to Alexander’s conquest, B.C. 327, there was constant intercourse between
India and the West. The identification, however, of the coins current
among the merchants in the far eastern satrapies and the Panjâb before
the fall of the Persian empire, and subsequently down to the revolt of
Diodotus and the establishment of an independent kingdom in Bactria,
B.C. 250, must for the present remain more or less uncertain. Well
authenticated finds from time to time will, however, it may be confidently anticipated, go far to settle the question.


It has been thought that during the Persian rule the siglos was the
chief medium of exchange, and Professor Rapson (Countermarks on early

Persian and Indian coins, in J. R. A. S., Oct. 1895) has drawn attention
to the fact that the sigloi very frequently bear small punch-marks
identical with those which occur on the square silver punch-marked
coins current in Northern India.


Athenian tetradrachms of the ‘old style’ also penetrated into the
countries north of the Indus, as is proved by the provenance of numerous specimens; and when the supply of these began to fail, they
were copied with various modifications of type and symbol by native
moneyers before the Macedonian conquest (B. V. Head, ‘Graeco-Bactrian
and Graeco-Indian coins,’ Num. Chron., 1906, pp. 1-16). Next follows the
introduction into Bactria of the gold double-daric, contemporaneously,
as I think, with the occupation of that country by Alexander on the
death of Darius. These coins, of the old Persian type though with
Greek monograms and symbols in the field, were probably first issued at
Babylon (see under Persia, supra, p. 828) by Mazaeus as Alexander's
satrap, from the vast treasures which had fallen into the hands of the
conqueror. Graeco-Bactrian or Graeco-Indian moneyers seem also to
have struck less well-executed copies at local mints, chiefly, it may be
assumed, for the payment of mercenary troops rather than for the needs
of commerce. With the double darics I would associate the class of
silver coins with the same obverse type and with an incuse reverse
adorned with a strange un-Hellenic device (see supra, p. 829).


It was not, however, until Alexander’s culminating victory at the
river Hydaspes over the Indian king Porus that any coins were issued
in the far east in the conqueror’s own name. Perhaps the earliest of
these is the following dekadrachm, which, as a numismatic record of
a contemporary historical event, is of supreme interest :—

833



Elephant walking r., carrying on his
back two warriors and pursued by a
horseman prancing, towards whom
they turn back, one of them attempting to pierce the horseman with a
backward and downward thrust of
his lance, while the other, with raised
r. arm, threatens to hurl at him a
javelin.

[Num. Chron., 1906, Pl. I. 8.]
ΑΒ (in mon. = Βασιλευς Αλεξανδρος (?))
Alexander standing to front, wearing
Persian helmet, cuirass, and cloak,
and holding in his extended r. a
thunderbolt (as in Apelles’ portrait) :
he rests with l. on spear, and from
his belt hangs a sword.
AR Attic Dekadrachm, 653 grs.



It must be noted that my description of the obverse of this piece
differs in one essential point from previous descriptions of the same coin.
I have described the lance as aimed by the elephant-rider backwards
against the horseman instead of forwards by the horseman at the
elephant-rider. We must wait for the discovery of a better-preserved
specimen for a final decision as to which description is correct.


Meanwhile I would remark that in the whole range of Greek numismatic art there is, so far as I am aware, no other instance of a coin-type
designed, as I think, to represent pictorially a particular contemporaneous event, and, moreover, that the details of the type correspond so
closely with the account, as handed down by Arrian (V. xviii. 9-11) of
the retreat on his elephant of the wounded king Porus, after his defeat
at the Hydaspes, and of his pursuit on horseback by Prince Taxiles, that
I can hardly hesitate to regard this piece as a medal struck in the
name of Alexander, and perhaps by Taxiles himself at his capital city
Taxila, in commemoration of that episode.


Arrian's account of what occurred is, briefly, as follows :—Porus,
defeated and wounded in the shoulder, tries to escape capture on the
back of his elephant. Taxiles, Prince of the Panjâb, is dispatched by
Alexander in pursuit, to offer him terms of submission. Riding up to
the elephant as close as it was safe so to do, he is recognized by Porus
as his old enemy and rival. Porus thereupon twists himself round
upon his beast and almost succeeds in spearing his pursuer with his
lance; whereupon Taxiles wheels off and rides back to Alexander,
who, anxious to take Porus alive, sends after him a more welcome
ambassador.


The turning or twisting round of Porus on his elephant in order to
spear his enemy—επιστρεψας ανηγετο ως ακοντισων—is rendered to the life
on this remarkable medallion, and that it is by a Greek artist, unfamiliar with the anatomy of an elephant, may be inferred from the mistaken
delineation of the hind-legs of the animal, the knees of which in nature
bend forwards.


Returning from this medallion to the coins (properly so called), which
I would attribute to north-west India during the transitional period
between B.C. 326 and 306, when Seleucus assumed the title of king, we
note that they belong not to the Attic standard which prevailed in
Bactria, but to an ancient Indian standard, of which the drachm weighed
58 ½ grs., identical with, but doubtless of different origin from, the Rhodian
or Phoenician standard (see Rapson, Indian coins in Bühler's Grundriss,
p. 2). These are as follows :—

834

(i) Athenian Types.




Head of Athena; behind, bunch of
grapes and .

[N. C., 1906, Pl. II. 1.]
ΑΘΕ Owl; behind, olive-spray and
crescent. AR Didrachm 107.7 grs.

Similar; no monogram. [Ibid., Pl. II. 2.]
Similar, but in field (Indian ‘Taurine’ symbol as on punch-marked
coins). AR Drachm 53.5 grs.




(ii) Atheno-Macedonian Types.




Head of Athena; behind, bunch of grapes.
[Ibid., Pl. II. 3.]
Eagle l., looking back.
AR Drachm 54 grs.

Similar. [Ibid., Pl. II. 4.]
Eagle l., looking back; behind, vinebranch with two bunches of grapes.
AR Drachm 51 grs.

Id. [Ibid., Pl. II. 5.]
Id. AR Diobol 18 grs.

Similar. [Ibid., Pl. II. 6.]
Eagle l., looking back; behind, caduceus
and vine-branch with two bunches of
grapes. AR Drachm 51.6 grs.

Similar. [Ibid., Pl. II. 7.]
Eagle l., looking back; behind, monongram
(= ΕΥ). AR Drachm 54.9 grs.



The monogram on the last-mentioned coin may stand for Eudamus,
who was commissioned by Alexander to administer the Indian satrapy
as a colleague of Taxiles (Arrian, VI. xxvii. 2).



(iii) Macedonian Types.




Head of Zeus r., laureate [Ibid., Pl. II. 8.]
Eagle l., looking back; behind, vine-branch with two bunches of grapes.
AR Diobol. 18.1 grs.

Head of Zeus r., laureate; border of dots.

[Ibid., Pl. II. 9.]
ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ Eagle r., on fulmen,
looking back; in field l., olive-spray
(as on coins of Athenian type); in field
r., Persian satrapal tiara with loose
flaps. AR Tetradrachm 222.5 grs.

Id. [Imhoof, Monn. gr., Pl. D. 8.]
Similar, but club instead of olive-spray.
AR Tetradrachm 227 grs.

Head of Alexander r., in lion-skin.

[Z. f. N., vi, Pl. IV. 1.]
ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ Club and bow in case;
above, caduceus.
Æ Size .7 (square Indian fabric).



The above-described coins, with Athenian merging into Macedonian
types, seem to have been followed by those which bear the name of
Sophytes. They are of the same Indian standard.


Sophytes, circ. B.C. 316-306, a prince, apparently independent, who
ruled over a kingdom in the north of the Panjâb.

835



Head of Sophytes in Athenian helmet
with cheek-piece, bound with olive.


[B. M. Guide, Pl. 28. 17.]
ΣΩΦΥΤΟΥ Cock; behind, caduceus.
AR Drachm 58.2 grs

Head of Athena in Corinthian helmet.

[Z. f. N., xxiv, Pl. IV. 7.]
Similar to preceding.
AR Trihemiobol 13.5 grs.



Seleucus and Antiochus, B.C. 306 to circ. B.C. 290.




Head of Zeus r., laur., as above.

[Num. Chron., 1906, Pl. II. 11.]
ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΣΕΛΕΥΚΟΥ ΑΝΤΙΟΧΟΥ Athena fighting in quadriga of
elephants r.
AR Tetradrachm 214.5 grs.

Similar. [Ibid., Pl. II. 12.]
Similar, hut Athena in biga of elephants.
AR Drachm 53.2 grs.

Id. [Ibid., Pl. II. 13.]
Id. AR Hemidrachm 25.2 grs.

Similar. [Ibid., Pl. II. 14.]
ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΝ ΣΕΛΕΥΚΟΥ ΚΑΙ ΑΝΤΙΟΧΟΥ Similar.
AR Drachm 54.6 grs.



These exceptional coins are of Indian provenance and of the Indian
standard. They are all later than B.C. 306, the year in which Seleucus
assumed the title Βασιλευς, and the last of them must be as late as B.C.
293, when the title ‘King of the East’ was bestowed upon Antiochus
by his father (see supra, pp. 757 ff.). They probably belong to the time
of the invasion of India by Seleucus, for after his treaty of peace with
Sandracottus and his cession to him of the Panjâb, &c., Seleucid coins
would not be struck in India.


From this time down to the revolt of Diodotus from Antiochus II and
the establishment by him of the independent kingdom of Bactria, it is
difficult to distinguish among the Seleucid coins those which were issued
in the far eastern provinces from the rest, as they are all of the Attic
standard. Provenance and fabric are the only guides; see supra,
pp. 757 ff.


Circ. B.C. 250 onwards.


For about a century (B.C. 250-150) the coins of the independent
Bactrian kingdom follow the Attic standard and are purely Hellenic in
character, the portraits of the kings are strikingly realistic, and the
figures of the various Greek divinities which form the reverse types
betray the skilful hand of the Greek artist. Greek civilization in Bactria
was overwhelmed towards the end of the first half of the second century
B.C. by hordes of Scythic invaders, called Sse or Sek (Sakas) by the
Chinese historians of the period; and the Greek coinage was superseded
by barbarous imitations (Num. Chron., 1889, p. 301).


But in the meantime an extension of Greek power from Bactria into
India had again taken place, in consequence of the conquests of Euthydemus (circ. B.C. 206) and his son Demetrius, and a new series of coins,
which may conveniently be called Graeco-Indian, makes its appearance.
This coinage is no longer purely Greek in character, but is influenced in
a marked degree by the native Indian form of coinage, oblong or square

836

in shape, which had been established probably for at least two hundred
years. The Attic standard also gives way to one which may be identical with the old Persic standard somewhat reduced, which may have
been introduced into India as a result of the long Persian dominion in
Northern India under the Achaemenidae. Or, possibly, the new standard
may have been of native Indian origin. The Graeco-Indian stater, from
this time onwards, weighs no more than about 152 grains, and the
quarter-stater (or drachm ?) about 38 grains. At the same time a Prakrit translation of the Greek inscription on the obverse is placed upon
the reverse, new and strange divinities begin to make their appearance
as reverse-types, and the square Indian form is occasionally used.
Gradually the strength and beauty of Greek art is lost, and oriental
conventionality finally prevails.


While the succession of the kings in the Bactrian series may be
fixed with approximate certainty, in the Graeco-Indian series everything is uncertain—the determination of the different dynasties, their
dates and their locality, and the order of succession. That there were
several families of Greek princes ruling contemporaneously in India
during the second and first centuries B.C. is unquestionable; and it is
possible that some of these may date from the time of Alexander, since
‘Greeks’ (Yonas, ‘Ιωνες) are mentioned among the powers of Northern
India in Asoka’s edicts (circ. B.C. 250) about half a century before the
invasion of the Bactrian Greeks (B. M. Cat., Coins of the Andhra
Dynasty, &c., p. xcvii). At present almost the only definite information
which we possess as to the history of these Graeco-Indian kingdoms
is afforded by the coins of their Scythic conquerors who imitated their
types. Thus the transference of various districts in Northern India
from Greek to Scythic dominion is shown by a comparison of the types
of Demetrius, Eucratides, Strato I and II, and Hermaeus, with those of
Maues, Kusula Patika, Ranjubula and Kujula Kadphises respectively
(ibid., p. ci; Corolla Numismatica, p. 257; Indian Coins, § 29).


Since, therefore, the arrangement of the Graeco-Indian series is at present
uncertain, I have in the following pages adopted the classification in
which, from analogy of types, style, and epigraphy, the coins have been
arranged in the British Museum Cabinet by Professor Gardner.


The student who would pursue the subject further may be referred to
the works mentioned at the head of this section, p. 832.


Kings of Bactria and India.


Diodotus appears to have revolted from Antiochus II, or to have been
acknowledged as king by him about B.C. 250. See supra, p. 760.




FIG. 364


Inscr., ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΔΙΟΔΟΤΟΥ. AV and AR Zeus hurling fulmen,
Eagle at his feet (Fig. 364); Æ Artemis running with torch, dog beside
her (B. M. Cat., Pl. I. 9).

837

Euthydemus I, contemporary with Antiochus III of Syria (B.C. 222-187). AV and AR ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΕΥΘΥΔΗΜΟΥ, Herakles naked seated on
rocks; Heads of bearded Herakles and of Zeus, rev. Prancing horse
(B. M. Cat., Pl. II. 7).


Demetrius, son of Euthydemus I, extended his dominions into India.
AR Tetradr., dr., and obol, ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΔΗΜΗΤΡΙΟΥ, Head of King
diademed, rev. Athena standing, and more frequently King’s head in
Elephant-skin, rev. Herakles standing crowning himself (Fig. 365).




FIG. 365.


Æ Head of Herakles, rev. Radiate Artemis standing; Shield, rev.
Trident; Elephant’s head, rev. Caduceus; also square Æ ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ
ΑΝΙΚΗΤΟΥ ΔΗΜΗΤΡΙΟΥ, rev. Fulmen, and Indian Kharoṣṭhī inscr.
(B. M. Cat., Pl. II. 9-12; III. 1, 2; XXX. 1-3).


Euthydemus II, son of Demetrius. AR Tetradr. and dr., ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ
ΕΥΘΥΔΗΜΟΥ, Boyish head of King, rev. Herakles facing (Fig. 366);




FIG. 366.


Nickel and Æ, Head of Apollo, rev. Tripod; Bearded head of Herakles,
rev. Horse (B. M. Cat., Pl. III. 3-7).


Pantaleon, contemporary with or successor of Euthydemus II.
AR Tetradr., ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΠΑΝΤΑΛΕΟΝΤΟΣ, Zeus enthroned holding
statuette of Hekate (B. M. Cat., Pl. XXX. 4); Æ square, Greek and
Indian Brāhmī inscrr., Dancing figure, rev. Lion (op. cit., Pl. III. 9);
Nickel and Æ circular, Head of Dionysos, rev. Panther (op. cit., Pl. III. 8).


Agathocles, contemporary with or successor of Pantaleon. AR Tetradrs.
in commemoration of his predecessors, (i) of Alexander the Great,
ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ ΤΟΥ ΦΙΛΙΠΠΟΥ, Head of Alexander in lion-skin, rev.

838




FIG. 367.


ΒΑΣΙΛΕΥΟΝΤΟΣ ΑΓΑΘΟΚΛΕΟΥΣ ΔΙΚΑΙΟΥ, Zeus aëtophoros enthroned (Num. Chron., 1880, Pl. X. 1); (ii) of Antiochus II (?), ΑΝΤΙΟΧΟΥ ΝΙΚΑΤΟΡΟΣ, rev. same inscr. as last, Zeus l. wielding fulmen
(B. M. Cat., Pl. XXX. 5); (iii) of Diodotus, ΔΙΟΔΟΤΟΥΣΩΤΗΡΟΣ, rev.
as last (Fig. 367); (iv) of Euthydemus, ΕΥΘΥΔΗΜΟΥ ΘΕΟΥ, rev. same
inscr. as last, Herakles seated on rock (B. M. Cat., Pl. IV. 3). Also AR
Tetradr., dr., and ½ dr., with name of Agathocles only, ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ
ΑΓΑΘΟΚΛΕΟΥΣ, Zeus standing holding Hekate (op. cit., Pl. IV. 4, 5).
Nickel and Æ (circular), Bust of Dionysos, rev. Panther (op. cit., Pl. IV.
6-8). Square Æ, with bilingual (Greek and Indian Kharoṣṭhī) inscrr.,
Dancing figure, rev. Lion, &c. (op. cit., Pl. IV. 9); Æ with Kharoṣṭhī
inscrr., Tope, rev. Sacred tree (op. cit., Pl. IV. 10).


Antimachus, contemporary with Agathocles. AR Tetradr. in commemoration of his ancestors Diodotus and Euthydemus, ΔΙΟΔΟΤΟΥ
ΣΩΤΗΡΟΣ, rev. ΒΑΣΙΛΕΥΟΝΤΟΣ ΑΝΤΙΜΑΧΟΥ ΘΕΟΥ, Zeus l. wielding fulmen (B. M. Cat., Pl. XXX. 6); ΕΥΘΥΔΗΜΟΥ ΘΕΟΥ, rev.




FIG. 368.


ΒΑΣΙΛΕΥΟΝΤΟΣ ΑΝΤΙΜΑΧΟΥ ΘΕΟΥ Herakles seated on rock.
Also AR Tetradr., dr., ½ dr., and obol, Head of Antimachus in broad
Macedonian kausia, rev. ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΘΕΟΥ ΑΝΤΙΜΑΧΟΥ, Poseidon
standing holding trident and palm (Fig. 368); Æ Elephant, rev. Nike on
Prow (B. M. Cat., Pl. XXX. 7).


Eucratides, king of Bactria and India, circ. B.C. 200-150. AV Medallion of 20 staters’ weight, the largest ancient gold coin in existence, now
in the Bibliothèque Nationale at Paris, obv. Bust of king with helmet
adorned with bull’s horn and ear, rev. ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥ ΕΥΚΡΑΤΙΔΟΥ, The Dioskuri on horseback (Rev. Num., 1867, p. 382). Also AV

839

staters with the same types. AR Tetradr. and dr. Inscr., ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ
ΕΥΚΡΑΤΙΔΟΥ, sometimes with addition of ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥ, Bust diademed




FIG. 369.


or helmeted, rev. The Dioskuri on horseback (Fig. 369), or Apollo
standing. AR Obols, Pilei of the Dioskuri. Of the coins of this king
there are numerous barbarous imitations. There is also a ½ dr. with a
bilingual (Greek and Kharoṣṭhī) inscription, type—Dioskuri standing
(B. M. Cat., Pl. XXX. 9); Æ circular with Greek, and square with
bilingual inscr., obv. Head of king or head of Apollo, rev. Horse;
Horseman; The Dioskuri; The Pilei of the Dioskuri; Nike; Zeus
seated (B. M. Cat., Pl. VI. 1-8; XXX. 10-12).


Eucratides with Heliocles and Laodice.




ΒΑΣΙΛΕΥΣ ΜΕΓΑΣ ΕΥΚΡΑΤΙΔΗΣ Helmeted bust of Eucratides.

[B. M. Cat., Pl. VI. 9, 10.]
ΗΛΙΟΚΛΕΟΥΣ ΚΑΙ ΛΑΟΔΙΚΗΣ
Busts of Heliocles bare and Laodice
diademed. AR Tetradrachm and drachm



In all probability the word υιος is to be understood as the connecting
link between the obverse and reverse legends of these coins, the inference being that Heliocles and Laodice were the father and mother of
Eucratides. Von Sallet, however, conjectures that Eucratides caused
these pieces to be struck on the occasion of a marriage of a son of his, by
name Heliocles, with a princess named Laodice, who may have been a
grand-daughter of Antiochus III of Syria.


Plato, contemporary with Eucratides. Unique dated tetradrachm in
the British Museum. Bust of king with helmet resembling that of
Eucratides, rev. ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ ΠΛΑΤΩΝΟΣ, Helios in
quadriga facing. Date, [Ρ]ΜΖ, 147 of the Seleucid era = B.C. 166
(B. M. Cat., Pl. VI. 11).


Heliocles, circ. B.C. 150-125, son and successor of Eucratides, probably
the last Greek king who reigned over the country to the north of the
Indian Caucasus.




Bust of Heliocles, diademed.

[Fig. 370, and B. M. Cat., Pl. XXXI. 1.]
ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΗΛΙΟΚΛΕΟΥΣ ΔΙΚΑΙΟΥ Zeus standing, holding fulmen and sceptre, or seated, holding
Nike and scepter. AR Tetradrachm

AR Dr.


840




FIG. 370.


The bronze coins are usually barbarous. Rev. types—Zeus standing;
Horse. In this king’s reign, or in that of a second Heliocles, the Attic
standard was superseded by a native silver standard, of which the stater
weighs 152 grs. and the ¼ stater 38 grs. (see supra, p. 836).




ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΔΙΚΑΙΟΥ ΗΛΙΟΚΛΕΟΥΣ Bust of Heliocles.
Kharoṣṭhī inscr., Zeus standing, as
above. [B. M. Cat., Pl. VII. 5, 6.].
AR 146 and 34 grs.



The bronze coins are square with bilingual legends, rev. Elephant or
Indian bull (B. M. Cat., Pl. VII. 7, 8).


Antialcidas, circ. B.C. 150. AR Attic tetradrachm and Indian quarter
staters, the latter bilingual.




Bust of king, diademed.

[B. M. Cat., Pl. VII. 9.]
ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΝΙΚΗΦΟΡΟΥ ΑΝΤΙΑΛΚΙΔΟΥ Zeus Nikephoros enthroned, with forepart of elephant
raising his trunk to Nike. AR Tetradrachm

Id., king sometimes helmeted or wearing kausia.
Id., but elephant in various positions.
AR Indian ¼ stater.



Circular and square bilingual Æ; Bust of Zeus, rev. Pilei of the Dioskuri; or Bust of King, rev. Elephant (B. M. Cat., Pl. VIII. 1-4).


Antialcidas and Lysias. Bilingual square Æ, obv. ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΝΙΚΗΤΟΥ ΛΥΣΙΟΥ, Bust of bearded Herakles, rev. Kharoṣṭhī inscr. containing name of Antialcidas. Type—Pilei of the Dioskuri (Bodleian
Library) (B. M. Cat., Pl. XXXI. 2).


Theophilus. Bilingual AR ¼ staters of Indian wt., ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΔΙΚΑΙΟΥ ⊟ΕΟΦΙΛΟΥ, Bust diademed, rev. Herakles crowning himself.
Æ square—Bust of Herakles, rev. Cornucopia (B. M. Cat., Pl. XXXI.
3, 4); Bust of king, rev. Club (Jour. As. Soc. Bengal, 1897, p. 1).


Lysias, circ. B.C. 150. Indian standard, ¼ stater, ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ
ΑΝΙΚΗΤΟΥ ΛΥΣΙΟΥ, Bust diademed, or in elephant-skin, rev.
Kharoṣṭhī inscr., Herakles crowning himself.


Circular and square Æ, Bust of bearded Herakles, rev. Elephant (B. M.
Cat., Pl. VIII. 5-9).


Diomedes. Bilingual AR staters and quarter staters, ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ
ΣΩΤΗΡΟΣ ΔΙΟΜΗΔΟΥ, rev. The Dioskuri standing or riding. Æ The
Dioskuri standing, rev. Humped bull (Num. Chron., 1887, p. 182, Pl. VII.
2, 3; B. M. Cat., Pl. VIII. 10-14).

841

Archebius. Bilingual AR staters and ¼ staters, Indian wt., Bust of
king diademed or helmeted, rev. ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΔΙΚΑΙΟΥ ΝΙΚΗΦΟΡΟΥ
ΑΡΧΕΒΙΟΥ, Zeus facing holding sceptre and wielding fulmen. Æ (circular), Nike, rev. Owl; (square), Elephant, rev. Owl; and Bust of Zeus,
rev. Pilei of the Dioskuri (B. M. Cat., Pl. IX. 1-7 and XXXI. 5).


Apollodotus. There may have been two kings of this name. The
coins are always bilingual and follow the Indian standard. AR ¼ staters,
round or square, ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΠΟΛΛΟΔΟΤΟΥ ΣΩΤΗΡΟΣ, Elephant,
rev. Humped bull; and square Æ Apollo standing, rev. Tripod (B. M.
Cat., Pl. IX. 8-13). Later style (perhaps Apollodotus II), AR staters,
ΑΠΟΛΛΟΔΟΤΟΥ ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥ ΣΩΤΗΡΟΣ ΚΑΙ ΦΙΛΟΠΑΤΟΡΟΣ, rev. Athena fighting (Fig. 371). ¼ staters similar, but without
the word ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥ, others with ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΣΩΤΗΡΟΣ ΑΠΟΛΛΟ



FIG. 371.


ΔΟΤΟΥ. Æ circular and square, Apollo standing or seated, rev. Tripod;
ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΣΩΤΗΡΟΣ ΚΑΙ ΦΙΛΟΠΑΤΟΡΟΣ ΑΠΟΛΛΟΔΟΤΟΥ,
Similar (B. M. Cat., Pl. X. 1-9).


Agathocleia, as Queen regent during the minority of her son Strato I.
She was contemporary with Heliocles.


AR stater. Busts of Agathocleia and Strato I, ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΣΩΤΗΡΟΣ
ΣΤΡΑΤΩΝΟΣ ΚΑΙ ΑΓΑΘΟΚΛΕΙΑΣ; rev. Fighting Athena, Kharoṣṭhī
inscr. with name of Strato I (Num. Chron., 1887, p. 183, Pl. VII. 7);
AR, ¼ stater, Bust of Agathocleia, ΒΑΣΙΛΙΣΣΗΣ ΘΕΟΤΡΟΓΙΟΥ ΑΓΑΘΟΚΛΕΙΑΣ, rev. Warrior king, Kharoṣṭhī inscr. with name of Strato I
(Corolla Num., p. 248, Pl. XII. 4).


AE. Bust of Agathocleia (previously supposed to be ‘Apollo with hair
in queue’, B. M. Cat., p. 41), ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ ΣΩΤΗΡΟΣ
ΣΤΡΑΤΩΝΟΣ, rev. Bow and quiver, inscr. in Kharoṣṭhī characters
(B. M. Cat., Pl. XI. 2).


Strato I, Soter, a contemporary of Heliocles. Bilingual AR staters and
¼ staters of Indian wt., and Æ ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ (or ΔΙΚΑΙΟΥ)
ΣΩΤΗΡΟΣ ΣΤΡΑΤΩΝΟΣ, Bust helmeted or diademed, rev. Athena
fighting (B. M. Cat., Pl. X. 10-13; XI. 1; XXXI. 6). Square Æ Bust
of Herakles, rev. Nike; Apollo standing, rev. Tripod (B. M. Cat.,
Pl. XI. 3-5).


Strato I, Soter, reigning conjointly with his grandson Strato II,
Philopator. The relationship is certain from the Kharoṣṭhī inscr; the
Greek inscr. is imperfect.


Bilingual AR ¼ staters of Indian weight and coins of lead, ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ

842

ΣΩΤΗΡΟΣ ΣΤΡΑΤΩΝΟΣ [ΚΑΙ ΦΙΛΟ.] ΣΤΡΑΤΩΝΟΣ. rev. Fighting
Athena (Corolla Num., p. 255).


Menander, circ. B.C. 160-140, is mentioned by Strabo (xi. 11. 1)
as having extended his sway as far east as the Isamus (a branch of
the Ganges, perhaps beyond the Jumna). AV stater, wt. 130 grs., uninscribed, obv. Helmeted bust, rev. Owl; fillet border on both sides (Brit.
Mus.). Bilingual AR staters and ¼ staters of Indian weight, ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΣΩΤΗΡΟΣ ΜΕΝΑΝΔΡΟΥ. Usual types—Bust diademed or
helmeted, rev. Athena fighting; obv. Head of Athena, rev. Owl. Square
AE, obv. Bust of king, rev. Athena fighting; obv. Bust of Athena, rev.
Prancing horse, Nike, Shield, Owl; obv. Bull’s head, rev. Tripod; obv.
Elephant’s head, rev. Club; obv. Wheel, rev. Palm; obv. Young male
head, Humped camel, Elephant. Boar’s head, rev. Dolphin. Bull’s head,
Elephant-goad, Palm-branch. Also square Æ, with ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΔΙΚΑΙΟΥ ΜΕΝΑΝΔΡΟΥ, obv. Athena standing, rev. Lion (B. M. Cat.,
Pl. XI. 7-13; XII. 1-7; XXXI. 8-12).


Epander. Bilingual AR ¼ staters of Indian weight, ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΝΙΚΗΦΟΡΟΥ ΕΠΑΝΔΡΟΥ, Diademed bust, rev. Fighting Athena. Square Æ,
Nike stephanephoros, rev. Humped bull (B. M. Cat., Pl. XXXI. 13 and
XII. 8).


Dionysius. Bilingual AR ¼ staters of Indian weight, ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ
ΣΩΤΗΡΟΣ ΔΙΟΝΥΣΙΟΥ, Bust of king diademed, rev. Fighting Athena.
Square Æ, Apollo standing, rev. Tripod; Royal diadem (B. M. Cat.,
Pl. XII. 9; XXXI. 14).


Zoilus. Bilingual AR ¼ staters of Indian weight, ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΔΙΚΑΙΟΥ
(or ΣΩΤΗΡΟΣ) ΖΩΙΛΟΥ, Bust of king diademed, rev. Herakles standing
or Athena fighting.


Circular and square Æ, obv. Apollo standing, rev. Tripod; obv. Head of
Herakles, rev. Bow and bow-case within ivy-wreath (B. M. Cat., Pl. XII.
10-13; XXXII. 1, 2).


Apollophanes. Bilingual AR ¼ staters of Indian weight, ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ
ΣΩΤΗΡΟΣ ΑΠΟΛΛΟΦΑΝΟΥ (sic), Bust helmeted(?), rev. Athena fighting
(B. M. Cat., Pl. XIII. 1).


Artemidorus. Bilingual AR staters and ¼ staters of Indian weight,
ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΝΙΚΗΤΟΥ ΑΡΤΕΜΙΔΩΡΟΥ, Bust diademed or helmeted,
rev. Artemis shooting with bow (type parlant); Nike stephanephoros
(B. M. Cat., Pl. XXXII. 3-5).


Square Æ, Artemis standing facing drawing arrow from quiver, rev.
Humped bull (B. M. Cat., Pl. XIII. 2); obv. similar, rev. Lion (B. M.,
unpublished).


Antimachus II (Nikephoros). Bilingual AR ¼ staters of Indian weight,
ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΝΙΚΗΦΟΡΟΥ ΑΝΤΙΜΑΧΟΥ, Nike stephanephoros, rev.
King on horseback.


Square Æ, obv. Aegis, rev. Wreath and Palm (B. M. Cat., Pl.
XIII. 3, 4).

843

Philoxenus. Bilingual AR staters and square ¼ staters of Indian
weight, ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΝΙΚΗΤΟΥ ΦΙΛΟΞΕΝΟΥ, Bust diademed or helmeted, rev. King on horseback. Square Æ, obv. Tyche or City, standing
with cornucopia, rev. Humped bull, obv. Helios standing, rev. Nike
stephanephoros (B. M. Cat., Pl. XIII. 5-10).


Nicias. Bilingual AR ¼ staters of Indian weight, ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΣΩΤΗΡΟΣ ΝΙΚΙΟΥ. Bust diademed, rev. Figure standing holding palm (B. M.
Cat., Pl. XXX II. 6).


Square Æ, obv. Bust diademed, rev. King on horseback or Anchor with
dolphin twined round it (B. M. Cat., Pl. XIII. 11, 12).


Hippostratus. Bilingual AR staters and ¼ staters of Indian weight,
ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΣΩΤΗΡΟΣ ΙΠΠΟΣΤΡΑΤΟΥ, Bust diademed, rev. Tyche or
City standing. Others, often with additional title, ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥ, rev. King
on horseback (B. M. Cat., Pl. XIV. 1-5).


Square Æ, obv. Triton holding dolphin and rudder, rev. Turreted
female figure holding palm; obv. Apollo standing, rev. Tripod; obv.
Figure enthroned facing, rev. Horse (B. M. Cat., Pl. XIV. 6-8).


Amyntas. Bilingual AR staters and ¼ staters of Indian weight, ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΝΙΚΑΤΟΡΟΣ ΑΜΥΝΤΟΥ, Bust helmeted, diademed, wearing
kausia, or bare, rev. Athena fighting or Zeus Nikephoros enthroned
facing (B. M. Cat., Pl. XIV. 9, 10).


Square Æ Bust of bearded deity radiate, wearing Persian tiara, rev.
Athena standing (B. M. Cat., Pl. XIV. 11).


Peucolaus. Bilingual Æ square, ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΔΙΚ ΑΙΟΥ ΚΑΙ ΣΩΤΗΡΟΣ ΠΕΥΚΟΛΑΟΥ, Artemis, rev. A City-Tyche, in l. hand cornucopiae
(B. M.; cf. Num. Chron., 1896, p. 269).


Polyxenus. Bilingual Æ square, ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥ (sic)
ΣΩΤΗΡΟΣ ΠΟΛVΞΕΝΟΥ, Bust helmeted, rev. Aegis (Num. Chron.,
1896, p. 269).


Telephus. Bilingual AR ¼ staters of Indian weight, ΒΑΣΙΛΩΣ ΕΥΕΡΓΕΤΟΥ ΤΗΛΕΦΟΥ, Giant Skythes (?) serpent-footed, holding hammer in
each hand, rev. Helios radiate and male figure wearing wreath or horned,
standing facing (B. M. Cat., Pl. XXXII. 7). Æ square, Zeus enthroned,
rev. Seated male figure (B. M.).


Hermaeus. Bilingual AR staters and ¼ staters of Indian weight, ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΣΩΤΗΡΟΣ ΕΡΜΑΙΟΥ, Bust diademed or helmeted, or King on
horseback, rev. Zeus enthroned facing (Fig. 372). Square and circular AE




FIG. 372.

844

resembling AR, or obv. Head of bearded deity radiate or wearing Persian
tiara, rev. Horse, or Zeus enthroned (B. M. Cat., Pl. XV. 1-8).


The coins of this king are imitated by the non-Greek king Kadphises,
with the legend ΣΤΗΡΟΣΣΥ ΕΡΜΑΙΟΥ for ΣΩΤΗΡΟΣ ΕΡΜΑΙΟΥ. The
first word, though in form similar to the Greek ΣΩΤΗΡΟΣ which it
replaces, is probably an Indian title (Jour. Royal As. Soc., 1897, p. 319).
Some of these imitations have Nike on the reverse (B. M. Cat., Pl.
XXXII. 8).


Hermaeus and Calliope. Bilingual AR ¼ staters of Indian weight,
ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΣΩΤΗΡΟΣ ΕΡΜΑΙΟΥ ΚΑΙ ΚΑΛΛΙΟΠΗΣ, Busts of King
and Queen diademed, rev. King on horseback (B. M. Cat., Pl. XV. 9, 10).

Epigraphy. The Indian inscriptions on the reverses of the above-described coins are of two kinds, (α) Brāhmī, which occurs only on the
coins of Pantaleon and Agathocles, and (β) Kharoṣṭhī on those of all the
other monarchs. The legend almost always begins with the word

Maharajasa = ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ.



This is followed by one or more high-sounding epithets, such as

tratarasa = ΣΩΤΗΡΟΣ
dhramikasa = ΔΙΚΑΙΟΥ
jayadharasa = ΝΙΚΗΦΟΡΟΥ
apaḍihatasa = ΑΝΙΚΗΤΟΥ
mahatasa = ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥ
pracachasa = ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ
kalanakramasa = ΕΥΕΡΓΕΤΟΥ
rajatirajasa = ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΝ



Other words are also occasionally met with which cannot be rendered by
Greek equivalents. Last of all follows the king’ name, transliterated as
nearly as possible from the Greek, though sometimes hardly recognizable
in its Indian form, e. g.

Evukratitasa = ΕΥΚΡΑΤΙΔΟΥ
Stratasa = ΣΤΡΑΤΩΝΟΣ
Menaṃdrasa = ΜΕΝΑΝΔΡΟΥ
Heramayasa = ΕΡΜΑΙΟΥ



&c. For a complete list of these Prakrit legends, with their Greek and
English renderings, the student is referred to Professor Bühler’s paper on
‘Kharoṣṭhī Inscriptions on Indo-Grecian coins’ in the Wiener Zeit. f. d.
Kunde des Morgenlandes, viii. p. 193.


The series of kings bearing Greek names comes to an end with
Hermaeus, who probably reigned in the course of the last half-century
before the Christian era. The Greek character in a modified form
continued, however, to be used on the coins of the conquering Kushana
kings, Kadphises I (with types of Hermaeus), Kadaphes, Kadphises II,
Kanishka (ΚΑΝΗΚΙ) (A.D. 78-106 [1]), Huvishka (ΟΟΗΡΚΙ) (circ.
A.D. 111-129), and Vāsudeva (ΒΑΖΟΑΗΟ sic) (A.D. 152-176), for more


1 The Saka era, starting from A.D. 78, probably commences from the date of the establishment of the Saka empire in India by Kanishka.

845

than a century after the Christian era. Among these the series with the
names (in Greek letters) and the figures of a large number of divinities
borrowed from various mythologies are of considerable interest; and in
their representation it will be noticed that a curious modification of the
Greek Ρ, viz. , has been introduced in order to express the sound sh,
which was foreign to Greek phonology.


This varied pantheon no doubt reflects the diversity of faith which
was professed in the different provinces of the great Kushana empire.
The Greek settlements in India, the Yavanas or Yonas (‘Ιωνες) of ancient
Indian literature and inscriptions, continued to strike coins with the
figures of Helios (ΗΛΙΟC), Selene (CΑΛΗΝΗ), Hephaestos (ΗΦΑΙCΤΟC),
Herakles (ΗΡΑΚΙΛΟ), or Sarapis (CΑΡΑΠΟ), while the Persian and
Scythic invaders, as well as the native Indian communities who had
adopted the use of the Greek alphabet, represented on their coins their
own divinities with the names expressed in Greek characters as :—
ΑΘΟ. ΑΑЄΙΧΟ, ΛΡΟΟΑCΠΟ (sic), ΜΑΝΑΟΒΑΓΟ, ΜΑΟ, ΜΕΙΡΟ,
ΜΟΖΔΟΑΝΟ, ΟΑΝΙΝΔΑ, ΟΡΛΑΓΝΟ, ΑΟΡΗΟΡΟ, ΦΑΡΡΟ (Persian),
ΝΑΝΑΙΑ, ΝΑΝΑ, or ΝΑΝΑΑΟ, and ΑΡΔΟΧΟ (Scythic), ΒΙΖΑΓΟ,
ΒΟΔΔΟ or ΒΟΥΔΔΟ (Buddha), ΜΑΑCΗΝΟ, ΟΑΔΟ, ΟΗΟ, CΚΑΝΔΟ
ΚΟΜΑΡΟ (Indian).

Ancient coins of Bactria and North-West India
















832

Bactria and North-West India

Coins of the Baktrian Kingdom for sale at Forum Ancient CoinsBopearachchi, O. Monnaies Gréco-Bactriennes et Indo-Grecques. (Paris, 1991).

Bopearachchi, O & A. ur Rahman. Pre-Kushana Coins in Pakistan. (Karachi, 1995).

Bopearachchi. O. "Sophytes, the Enigmatic Ruler" in Nomismatika Khronika 15 (1996).
Cunningham, A. Coins of Alexander’s Successors in the East. (1873; reprint Chicago, 1969).
Gardner, P. The Coins of the Greek and Scythic Kings of Bactria and India in the British Museum. (London, 1886).

Mitchiner, M. Indo-Greek and Indo-Scythian Coinage. (London, 1975-1976).

Mitchiner, M. Oriental Coins: the Ancient and Classical World. (London, 1978).
Rapson, E. J. Indian Coins in Bühler’s Grundriss der Indo-arischen Philologie. (1898).
Sear, D. Greek Coins and Their Values, Volume 2, Asia and Africa. (London, 1979).
Smith, V. A. Cat. of Coins in the Indian Museum, Calcutta, vol. I. (1906).



Sylloge Nummorum Graecorum, Denmark, The Royal Collection of Coins and Medals, Danish National Museum, Volume 7: Cyprus to India. (New Jersey, 1982).

Sylloge Nummorum Graecorum, The Collection of the American Numismatic Society, Part 9: Graeco-Bactrian and Indo-Greek Coins. (New York, 1998).

Von Sallet, A. "Die Nachfolger Alexanders d. Gr. in Bactrien u. Indien" in Z. f. N. 1879-83.


During the Persian rule from the time of Darius, circ. B.C. 500, down
to Alexander’s conquest, B.C. 327, there was constant intercourse between
India and the West. The identification, however, of the coins current
among the merchants in the far eastern satrapies and the Panjâb before
the fall of the Persian empire, and subsequently down to the revolt of
Diodotus and the establishment of an independent kingdom in Bactria,
B.C. 250, must for the present remain more or less uncertain. Well
authenticated finds from time to time will, however, it may be confidently anticipated, go far to settle the question.


It has been thought that during the Persian rule the siglos was the
chief medium of exchange, and Professor Rapson (Countermarks on early

Persian and Indian coins, in J. R. A. S., Oct. 1895) has drawn attention
to the fact that the sigloi very frequently bear small punch-marks
identical with those which occur on the square silver punch-marked
coins current in Northern India.


Athenian tetradrachms of the ‘old style’ also penetrated into the
countries north of the Indus, as is proved by the provenance of numerous specimens; and when the supply of these began to fail, they
were copied with various modifications of type and symbol by native
moneyers before the Macedonian conquest (B. V. Head, ‘Graeco-Bactrian
and Graeco-Indian coins,’ Num. Chron., 1906, pp. 1-16). Next follows the
introduction into Bactria of the gold double-daric, contemporaneously,
as I think, with the occupation of that country by Alexander on the
death of Darius. These coins, of the old Persian type though with
Greek monograms and symbols in the field, were probably first issued at
Babylon (see under Persia, supra, p. 828) by Mazaeus as Alexander's
satrap, from the vast treasures which had fallen into the hands of the
conqueror. Graeco-Bactrian or Graeco-Indian moneyers seem also to
have struck less well-executed copies at local mints, chiefly, it may be
assumed, for the payment of mercenary troops rather than for the needs
of commerce. With the double darics I would associate the class of
silver coins with the same obverse type and with an incuse reverse
adorned with a strange un-Hellenic device (see supra, p. 829).


It was not, however, until Alexander’s culminating victory at the
river Hydaspes over the Indian king Porus that any coins were issued
in the far east in the conqueror’s own name. Perhaps the earliest of
these is the following dekadrachm, which, as a numismatic record of
a contemporary historical event, is of supreme interest :—

833



Elephant walking r., carrying on his
back two warriors and pursued by a
horseman prancing, towards whom
they turn back, one of them attempting to pierce the horseman with a
backward and downward thrust of
his lance, while the other, with raised
r. arm, threatens to hurl at him a
javelin.

[Num. Chron., 1906, Pl. I. 8.]
ΑΒ (in mon. = Βασιλευς Αλεξανδρος (?))
Alexander standing to front, wearing
Persian helmet, cuirass, and cloak,
and holding in his extended r. a
thunderbolt (as in Apelles’ portrait) :
he rests with l. on spear, and from
his belt hangs a sword.
AR Attic Dekadrachm, 653 grs.



It must be noted that my description of the obverse of this piece
differs in one essential point from previous descriptions of the same coin.
I have described the lance as aimed by the elephant-rider backwards
against the horseman instead of forwards by the horseman at the
elephant-rider. We must wait for the discovery of a better-preserved
specimen for a final decision as to which description is correct.


Meanwhile I would remark that in the whole range of Greek numismatic art there is, so far as I am aware, no other instance of a coin-type
designed, as I think, to represent pictorially a particular contemporaneous event, and, moreover, that the details of the type correspond so
closely with the account, as handed down by Arrian (V. xviii. 9-11) of
the retreat on his elephant of the wounded king Porus, after his defeat
at the Hydaspes, and of his pursuit on horseback by Prince Taxiles, that
I can hardly hesitate to regard this piece as a medal struck in the
name of Alexander, and perhaps by Taxiles himself at his capital city
Taxila, in commemoration of that episode.


Arrian's account of what occurred is, briefly, as follows :—Porus,
defeated and wounded in the shoulder, tries to escape capture on the
back of his elephant. Taxiles, Prince of the Panjâb, is dispatched by
Alexander in pursuit, to offer him terms of submission. Riding up to
the elephant as close as it was safe so to do, he is recognized by Porus
as his old enemy and rival. Porus thereupon twists himself round
upon his beast and almost succeeds in spearing his pursuer with his
lance; whereupon Taxiles wheels off and rides back to Alexander,
who, anxious to take Porus alive, sends after him a more welcome
ambassador.


The turning or twisting round of Porus on his elephant in order to
spear his enemy—επιστρεψας ανηγετο ως ακοντισων—is rendered to the life
on this remarkable medallion, and that it is by a Greek artist, unfamiliar with the anatomy of an elephant, may be inferred from the mistaken
delineation of the hind-legs of the animal, the knees of which in nature
bend forwards.


Returning from this medallion to the coins (properly so called), which
I would attribute to north-west India during the transitional period
between B.C. 326 and 306, when Seleucus assumed the title of king, we
note that they belong not to the Attic standard which prevailed in
Bactria, but to an ancient Indian standard, of which the drachm weighed
58 ½ grs., identical with, but doubtless of different origin from, the Rhodian
or Phoenician standard (see Rapson, Indian coins in Bühler's Grundriss,
p. 2). These are as follows :—

834

(i) Athenian Types.




Head of Athena; behind, bunch of
grapes and .

[N. C., 1906, Pl. II. 1.]
ΑΘΕ Owl; behind, olive-spray and
crescent. AR Didrachm 107.7 grs.

Similar; no monogram. [Ibid., Pl. II. 2.]
Similar, but in field (Indian ‘Taurine’ symbol as on punch-marked
coins). AR Drachm 53.5 grs.




(ii) Atheno-Macedonian Types.




Head of Athena; behind, bunch of grapes.
[Ibid., Pl. II. 3.]
Eagle l., looking back.
AR Drachm 54 grs.

Similar. [Ibid., Pl. II. 4.]
Eagle l., looking back; behind, vinebranch with two bunches of grapes.
AR Drachm 51 grs.

Id. [Ibid., Pl. II. 5.]
Id. AR Diobol 18 grs.

Similar. [Ibid., Pl. II. 6.]
Eagle l., looking back; behind, caduceus
and vine-branch with two bunches of
grapes. AR Drachm 51.6 grs.

Similar. [Ibid., Pl. II. 7.]
Eagle l., looking back; behind, monongram
(= ΕΥ). AR Drachm 54.9 grs.



The monogram on the last-mentioned coin may stand for Eudamus,
who was commissioned by Alexander to administer the Indian satrapy
as a colleague of Taxiles (Arrian, VI. xxvii. 2).



(iii) Macedonian Types.




Head of Zeus r., laureate [Ibid., Pl. II. 8.]
Eagle l., looking back; behind, vine-branch with two bunches of grapes.
AR Diobol. 18.1 grs.

Head of Zeus r., laureate; border of dots.

[Ibid., Pl. II. 9.]
ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ Eagle r., on fulmen,
looking back; in field l., olive-spray
(as on coins of Athenian type); in field
r., Persian satrapal tiara with loose
flaps. AR Tetradrachm 222.5 grs.

Id. [Imhoof, Monn. gr., Pl. D. 8.]
Similar, but club instead of olive-spray.
AR Tetradrachm 227 grs.

Head of Alexander r., in lion-skin.

[Z. f. N., vi, Pl. IV. 1.]
ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ Club and bow in case;
above, caduceus.
Æ Size .7 (square Indian fabric).



The above-described coins, with Athenian merging into Macedonian
types, seem to have been followed by those which bear the name of
Sophytes. They are of the same Indian standard.


Sophytes, circ. B.C. 316-306, a prince, apparently independent, who
ruled over a kingdom in the north of the Panjâb.

835



Head of Sophytes in Athenian helmet
with cheek-piece, bound with olive.


[B. M. Guide, Pl. 28. 17.]
ΣΩΦΥΤΟΥ Cock; behind, caduceus.
AR Drachm 58.2 grs

Head of Athena in Corinthian helmet.

[Z. f. N., xxiv, Pl. IV. 7.]
Similar to preceding.
AR Trihemiobol 13.5 grs.



Seleucus and Antiochus, B.C. 306 to circ. B.C. 290.




Head of Zeus r., laur., as above.

[Num. Chron., 1906, Pl. II. 11.]
ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΣΕΛΕΥΚΟΥ ΑΝΤΙΟΧΟΥ Athena fighting in quadriga of
elephants r.
AR Tetradrachm 214.5 grs.

Similar. [Ibid., Pl. II. 12.]
Similar, hut Athena in biga of elephants.
AR Drachm 53.2 grs.

Id. [Ibid., Pl. II. 13.]
Id. AR Hemidrachm 25.2 grs.

Similar. [Ibid., Pl. II. 14.]
ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΝ ΣΕΛΕΥΚΟΥ ΚΑΙ ΑΝΤΙΟΧΟΥ Similar.
AR Drachm 54.6 grs.



These exceptional coins are of Indian provenance and of the Indian
standard. They are all later than B.C. 306, the year in which Seleucus
assumed the title Βασιλευς, and the last of them must be as late as B.C.
293, when the title ‘King of the East’ was bestowed upon Antiochus
by his father (see supra, pp. 757 ff.). They probably belong to the time
of the invasion of India by Seleucus, for after his treaty of peace with
Sandracottus and his cession to him of the Panjâb, &c., Seleucid coins
would not be struck in India.


From this time down to the revolt of Diodotus from Antiochus II and
the establishment by him of the independent kingdom of Bactria, it is
difficult to distinguish among the Seleucid coins those which were issued
in the far eastern provinces from the rest, as they are all of the Attic
standard. Provenance and fabric are the only guides; see supra,
pp. 757 ff.


Circ. B.C. 250 onwards.


For about a century (B.C. 250-150) the coins of the independent
Bactrian kingdom follow the Attic standard and are purely Hellenic in
character, the portraits of the kings are strikingly realistic, and the
figures of the various Greek divinities which form the reverse types
betray the skilful hand of the Greek artist. Greek civilization in Bactria
was overwhelmed towards the end of the first half of the second century
B.C. by hordes of Scythic invaders, called Sse or Sek (Sakas) by the
Chinese historians of the period; and the Greek coinage was superseded
by barbarous imitations (Num. Chron., 1889, p. 301).


But in the meantime an extension of Greek power from Bactria into
India had again taken place, in consequence of the conquests of Euthydemus (circ. B.C. 206) and his son Demetrius, and a new series of coins,
which may conveniently be called Graeco-Indian, makes its appearance.
This coinage is no longer purely Greek in character, but is influenced in
a marked degree by the native Indian form of coinage, oblong or square

836

in shape, which had been established probably for at least two hundred
years. The Attic standard also gives way to one which may be identical with the old Persic standard somewhat reduced, which may have
been introduced into India as a result of the long Persian dominion in
Northern India under the Achaemenidae. Or, possibly, the new standard
may have been of native Indian origin. The Graeco-Indian stater, from
this time onwards, weighs no more than about 152 grains, and the
quarter-stater (or drachm ?) about 38 grains. At the same time a Prakrit translation of the Greek inscription on the obverse is placed upon
the reverse, new and strange divinities begin to make their appearance
as reverse-types, and the square Indian form is occasionally used.
Gradually the strength and beauty of Greek art is lost, and oriental
conventionality finally prevails.


While the succession of the kings in the Bactrian series may be
fixed with approximate certainty, in the Graeco-Indian series everything is uncertain—the determination of the different dynasties, their
dates and their locality, and the order of succession. That there were
several families of Greek princes ruling contemporaneously in India
during the second and first centuries B.C. is unquestionable; and it is
possible that some of these may date from the time of Alexander, since
‘Greeks’ (Yonas, ‘Ιωνες) are mentioned among the powers of Northern
India in Asoka’s edicts (circ. B.C. 250) about half a century before the
invasion of the Bactrian Greeks (B. M. Cat., Coins of the Andhra
Dynasty, etc., p. xcvii). At present almost the only definite information
which we possess as to the history of these Graeco-Indian kingdoms
is afforded by the coins of their Scythic conquerors who imitated their
types. Thus the transference of various districts in Northern India
from Greek to Scythic dominion is shown by a comparison of the types
of Demetrius, Eucratides, Strato I and II, and Hermaeus, with those of
Maues, Kusula Patika, Ranjubula and Kujula Kadphises respectively
(ibid., p. ci; Corolla Numismatica, p. 257; Indian Coins, § 29).


Since, therefore, the arrangement of the Graeco-Indian series is at present
uncertain, I have in the following pages adopted the classification in
which, from analogy of types, style, and epigraphy, the coins have been
arranged in the British Museum Cabinet by Professor Gardner.


The student who would pursue the subject further may be referred to
the works mentioned at the head of this section, p. 832.


Kings of Bactria and India.


Diodotus appears to have revolted from Antiochus II, or to have been
acknowledged as king by him about B.C. 250. See supra, p. 760.




FIG. 364


Inscr., ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΔΙΟΔΟΤΟΥ. AV and AR Zeus hurling fulmen,
Eagle at his feet (Fig. 364); Æ Artemis running with torch, dog beside
her (B. M. Cat., Pl. I. 9).

837

Euthydemus I, contemporary with Antiochus III of Syria (B.C. 222-187). AV and AR ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΕΥΘΥΔΗΜΟΥ, Herakles naked seated on
rocks; Heads of bearded Herakles and of Zeus, rev. Prancing horse
(B. M. Cat., Pl. II. 7).


Demetrius, son of Euthydemus I, extended his dominions into India.
AR Tetradrachm, drachm, and obol, ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΔΗΜΗΤΡΙΟΥ, Head of King
diademed, rev. Athena standing, and more frequently King’s head in
Elephant-skin, rev. Herakles standing crowning himself (Fig. 365).




FIG. 365.


Æ Head of Herakles, rev. Radiate Artemis standing; Shield, rev.
Trident; Elephant’s head, rev. Caduceus; also square Æ ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ
ΑΝΙΚΗΤΟΥ ΔΗΜΗΤΡΙΟΥ, rev. Fulmen, and Indian Kharoṣṭhī inscription
(B. M. Cat., Pl. II. 9-12; III. 1, 2; XXX. 1-3).


Euthydemus II, son of Demetrius. AR Tetradrachm and drachm, ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ
ΕΥΘΥΔΗΜΟΥ, Boyish head of King, rev. Herakles facing (Fig. 366);




FIG. 366.


Nickel and Æ, Head of Apollo, rev. Tripod; Bearded head of Herakles,
rev. Horse (B. M. Cat., Pl. III. 3-7).


Pantaleon, contemporary with or successor of Euthydemus II.
AR Tetradrachm, ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΠΑΝΤΑΛΕΟΝΤΟΣ, Zeus enthroned holding
statuette of Hekate (B. M. Cat., Pl. XXX. 4); Æ square, Greek and
Indian Brāhmī inscription, Dancing figure, rev. Lion (op. cit., Pl. III. 9);
Nickel and Æ circular, Head of Dionysos, rev. Panther (op. cit., Pl. III. 8).


Agathocles, contemporary with or successor of Pantaleon. AR Tetradrachms
in commemoration of his predecessors, (i) of Alexander the Great,
ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ ΤΟΥ ΦΙΛΙΠΠΟΥ, Head of Alexander in lion-skin, rev.

838




FIG. 367.


ΒΑΣΙΛΕΥΟΝΤΟΣ ΑΓΑΘΟΚΛΕΟΥΣ ΔΙΚΑΙΟΥ, Zeus aëtophoros enthroned (Num. Chron., 1880, Pl. X. 1); (ii) of Antiochus II (?), ΑΝΤΙΟΧΟΥ ΝΙΚΑΤΟΡΟΣ, rev. same inscr. as last, Zeus l. wielding fulmen
(B. M. Cat., Pl. XXX. 5); (iii) of Diodotus, ΔΙΟΔΟΤΟΥΣΩΤΗΡΟΣ, rev.
as last (Fig. 367); (iv) of Euthydemus, ΕΥΘΥΔΗΜΟΥ ΘΕΟΥ, rev. same
inscr. as last, Herakles seated on rock (B. M. Cat., Pl. IV. 3). Also AR
Tetradr., dr., and ½ dr., with name of Agathocles only, ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ
ΑΓΑΘΟΚΛΕΟΥΣ, Zeus standing holding Hekate (op. cit., Pl. IV. 4, 5).
Nickel and Æ (circular), Bust of Dionysos, rev. Panther (op. cit., Pl. IV.
6-8). Square Æ, with bilingual (Greek and Indian Kharoṣṭhī) inscrr.,
Dancing figure, rev. Lion, &c. (op. cit., Pl. IV. 9); Æ with Kharoṣṭhī
inscrr., Tope, rev. Sacred tree (op. cit., Pl. IV. 10).


Antimachus, contemporary with Agathocles. AR Tetradrachm in commemoration of his ancestors Diodotus and Euthydemus, ΔΙΟΔΟΤΟΥ
ΣΩΤΗΡΟΣ, rev. ΒΑΣΙΛΕΥΟΝΤΟΣ ΑΝΤΙΜΑΧΟΥ ΘΕΟΥ, Zeus l. wielding fulmen (B. M. Cat., Pl. XXX. 6); ΕΥΘΥΔΗΜΟΥ ΘΕΟΥ, rev.




FIG. 368.


ΒΑΣΙΛΕΥΟΝΤΟΣ ΑΝΤΙΜΑΧΟΥ ΘΕΟΥ Herakles seated on rock.
Also AR Tetradr., dr., ½ dr., and obol, Head of Antimachus in broad
Macedonian kausia, rev. ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΘΕΟΥ ΑΝΤΙΜΑΧΟΥ, Poseidon
standing holding trident and palm (Fig. 368); Æ Elephant, rev. Nike on
Prow (B. M. Cat., Pl. XXX. 7).


Eucratides, king of Bactria and India, circ. B.C. 200-150. AV Medallion of 20 staters’ weight, the largest ancient gold coin in existence, now
in the Bibliothèque Nationale at Paris, obv. Bust of king with helmet
adorned with bull’s horn and ear, rev. ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥ ΕΥΚΡΑΤΙΔΟΥ, The Dioskuri on horseback (Rev. Num., 1867, p. 382). Also AV

839

staters with the same types. AR Tetradr. and dr. Inscr., ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ
ΕΥΚΡΑΤΙΔΟΥ, sometimes with addition of ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥ, Bust diademed




FIG. 369.


or helmeted, rev. The Dioskuri on horseback (Fig. 369), or Apollo
standing. AR Obols, Pilei of the Dioskuri. Of the coins of this king
there are numerous barbarous imitations. There is also a ½ dr. with a
bilingual (Greek and Kharoṣṭhī) inscription, type—Dioskuri standing
(B. M. Cat., Pl. XXX. 9); Æ circular with Greek, and square with
bilingual inscr., obv. Head of king or head of Apollo, rev. Horse;
Horseman; The Dioskuri; The Pilei of the Dioskuri; Nike; Zeus
seated (B. M. Cat., Pl. VI. 1-8; XXX. 10-12).


Eucratides with Heliocles and Laodice.




ΒΑΣΙΛΕΥΣ ΜΕΓΑΣ ΕΥΚΡΑΤΙΔΗΣ Helmeted bust of Eucratides.

[B. M. Cat., Pl. VI. 9, 10.]
ΗΛΙΟΚΛΕΟΥΣ ΚΑΙ ΛΑΟΔΙΚΗΣ
Busts of Heliocles bare and Laodice
diademed. AR Tetradrachm and drachm



In all probability the word υιος is to be understood as the connecting
link between the obverse and reverse legends of these coins, the inference being that Heliocles and Laodice were the father and mother of
Eucratides. Von Sallet, however, conjectures that Eucratides caused
these pieces to be struck on the occasion of a marriage of a son of his, by
name Heliocles, with a princess named Laodice, who may have been a
grand-daughter of Antiochus III of Syria.


Plato, contemporary with Eucratides. Unique dated tetradrachm in
the British Museum. Bust of king with helmet resembling that of
Eucratides, rev. ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ ΠΛΑΤΩΝΟΣ, Helios in
quadriga facing. Date, [Ρ]ΜΖ, 147 of the Seleucid era = B.C. 166
(B. M. Cat., Pl. VI. 11).


Heliocles, circ. B.C. 150-125, son and successor of Eucratides, probably
the last Greek king who reigned over the country to the north of the
Indian Caucasus.




Bust of Heliocles, diademed.

[Fig. 370, and B. M. Cat., Pl. XXXI. 1.]
ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΗΛΙΟΚΛΕΟΥΣ ΔΙΚΑΙΟΥ Zeus standing, holding fulmen and scepter, or seated, holding
Nike and scepter. AR Tetradrachm

AR Dr.


840




FIG. 370.


The bronze coins are usually barbarous. Rev. types—Zeus standing;
Horse. In this king’s reign, or in that of a second Heliocles, the Attic
standard was superseded by a native silver standard, of which the stater
weighs 152 grs. and the ¼ stater 38 grs. (see supra, p. 836).




ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΔΙΚΑΙΟΥ ΗΛΙΟΚΛΕΟΥΣ Bust of Heliocles.
Kharoṣṭhī inscription, Zeus standing, as
above. [B. M. Cat., Pl. VII. 5, 6.].
AR 146 and 34 grs.



The bronze coins are square with bilingual legends, rev. Elephant or
Indian bull (B. M. Cat., Pl. VII. 7, 8).


Antialcidas, circ. B.C. 150. AR Attic tetradrachm and Indian quarter
staters, the latter bilingual.




Bust of king, diademed.

[B. M. Cat., Pl. VII. 9.]
ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΝΙΚΗΦΟΡΟΥ ΑΝΤΙΑΛΚΙΔΟΥ Zeus Nikephoros enthroned, with forepart of elephant
raising his trunk to Nike. AR Tetradrachm

Id., king sometimes helmeted or wearing kausia.
Id., but elephant in various positions.
AR Indian ¼ stater.



Circular and square bilingual Æ; Bust of Zeus, rev. Pilei of the Dioskuri; or Bust of King, rev. Elephant (B. M. Cat., Pl. VIII. 1-4).


Antialcidas and Lysias. Bilingual square Æ, obv. ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΝΙΚΗΤΟΥ ΛΥΣΙΟΥ, Bust of bearded Herakles, rev. Kharoṣṭhī inscr. containing name of Antialcidas. Type—Pilei of the Dioskuri (Bodleian
Library) (B. M. Cat., Pl. XXXI. 2).


Theophilus. Bilingual AR ¼ staters of Indian wt., ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΔΙΚΑΙΟΥ ⊟ΕΟΦΙΛΟΥ, Bust diademed, rev. Herakles crowning himself.
Æ square—Bust of Herakles, rev. Cornucopia (B. M. Cat., Pl. XXXI.
3, 4); Bust of king, rev. Club (Jour. As. Soc. Bengal, 1897, p. 1).


Lysias, circ. B.C. 150. Indian standard, ¼ stater, ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ
ΑΝΙΚΗΤΟΥ ΛΥΣΙΟΥ, Bust diademed, or in elephant-skin, rev.
Kharoṣṭhī inscr., Herakles crowning himself.


Circular and square Æ, Bust of bearded Herakles, rev. Elephant (B. M.
Cat., Pl. VIII. 5-9).


Diomedes. Bilingual AR staters and quarter staters, ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ
ΣΩΤΗΡΟΣ ΔΙΟΜΗΔΟΥ, rev. The Dioskuri standing or riding. Æ The
Dioskuri standing, rev. Humped bull (Num. Chron., 1887, p. 182, Pl. VII.
2, 3; B. M. Cat., Pl. VIII. 10-14).

841

Archebius. Bilingual AR staters and ¼ staters, Indian wt., Bust of
king diademed or helmeted, rev. ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΔΙΚΑΙΟΥ ΝΙΚΗΦΟΡΟΥ
ΑΡΧΕΒΙΟΥ, Zeus facing holding sceptre and wielding fulmen. Æ (circular), Nike, rev. Owl; (square), Elephant, rev. Owl; and Bust of Zeus,
rev. Pilei of the Dioskuri (B. M. Cat., Pl. IX. 1-7 and XXXI. 5).


Apollodotus. There may have been two kings of this name. The
coins are always bilingual and follow the Indian standard. AR ¼ staters,
round or square, ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΠΟΛΛΟΔΟΤΟΥ ΣΩΤΗΡΟΣ, Elephant,
rev. Humped bull; and square Æ Apollo standing, rev. Tripod (B. M.
Cat., Pl. IX. 8-13). Later style (perhaps Apollodotus II), AR staters,
ΑΠΟΛΛΟΔΟΤΟΥ ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥ ΣΩΤΗΡΟΣ ΚΑΙ ΦΙΛΟΠΑΤΟΡΟΣ, rev. Athena fighting (Fig. 371). ¼ staters similar, but without
the word ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥ, others with ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΣΩΤΗΡΟΣ ΑΠΟΛΛΟ



FIG. 371.


ΔΟΤΟΥ. Æ circular and square, Apollo standing or seated, rev. Tripod;
ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΣΩΤΗΡΟΣ ΚΑΙ ΦΙΛΟΠΑΤΟΡΟΣ ΑΠΟΛΛΟΔΟΤΟΥ,
Similar (B. M. Cat., Pl. X. 1-9).


Agathocleia, as Queen regent during the minority of her son Strato I.
She was contemporary with Heliocles.


AR stater. Busts of Agathocleia and Strato I, ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΣΩΤΗΡΟΣ
ΣΤΡΑΤΩΝΟΣ ΚΑΙ ΑΓΑΘΟΚΛΕΙΑΣ; rev. Fighting Athena, Kharoṣṭhī
inscr. with name of Strato I (Num. Chron., 1887, p. 183, Pl. VII. 7);
AR, ¼ stater, Bust of Agathocleia, ΒΑΣΙΛΙΣΣΗΣ ΘΕΟΤΡΟΓΙΟΥ ΑΓΑΘΟΚΛΕΙΑΣ, rev. Warrior king, Kharoṣṭhī inscr. with name of Strato I
(Corolla Num., p. 248, Pl. XII. 4).


AE. Bust of Agathocleia (previously supposed to be ‘Apollo with hair
in queue’, B. M. Cat., p. 41), ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ ΣΩΤΗΡΟΣ
ΣΤΡΑΤΩΝΟΣ, rev. Bow and quiver, inscr. in Kharoṣṭhī characters
(B. M. Cat., Pl. XI. 2).


Strato I, Soter, a contemporary of Heliocles. Bilingual AR staters and
¼ staters of Indian wt., and Æ ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ (or ΔΙΚΑΙΟΥ)
ΣΩΤΗΡΟΣ ΣΤΡΑΤΩΝΟΣ, Bust helmeted or diademed, rev. Athena
fighting (B. M. Cat., Pl. X. 10-13; XI. 1; XXXI. 6). Square Æ Bust
of Herakles, rev. Nike; Apollo standing, rev. Tripod (B. M. Cat.,
Pl. XI. 3-5).


Strato I, Soter, reigning conjointly with his grandson Strato II,
Philopator. The relationship is certain from the Kharoṣṭhī inscr; the
Greek inscr. is imperfect.


Bilingual AR ¼ staters of Indian weight and coins of lead, ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ

842

ΣΩΤΗΡΟΣ ΣΤΡΑΤΩΝΟΣ [ΚΑΙ ΦΙΛΟ.] ΣΤΡΑΤΩΝΟΣ. rev. Fighting
Athena (Corolla Num., p. 255).


Menander, circ. B.C. 160-140, is mentioned by Strabo (xi. 11. 1)
as having extended his sway as far east as the Isamus (a branch of
the Ganges, perhaps beyond the Jumna). AV stater, wt. 130 grs., uninscribed, obv. Helmeted bust, rev. Owl; fillet border on both sides (Brit.
Mus.). Bilingual AR staters and ¼ staters of Indian weight, ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΣΩΤΗΡΟΣ ΜΕΝΑΝΔΡΟΥ. Usual types—Bust diademed or
helmeted, rev. Athena fighting; obv. Head of Athena, rev. Owl. Square
AE, obv. Bust of king, rev. Athena fighting; obv. Bust of Athena, rev.
Prancing horse, Nike, Shield, Owl; obv. Bull’s head, rev. Tripod; obv.
Elephant’s head, rev. Club; obv. Wheel, rev. Palm; obv. Young male
head, Humped camel, Elephant. Boar’s head, rev. Dolphin. Bull’s head,
Elephant-goad, Palm-branch. Also square Æ, with ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΔΙΚΑΙΟΥ ΜΕΝΑΝΔΡΟΥ, obv. Athena standing, rev. Lion (B. M. Cat.,
Pl. XI. 7-13; XII. 1-7; XXXI. 8-12).


Epander. Bilingual AR ¼ staters of Indian weight, ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΝΙΚΗΦΟΡΟΥ ΕΠΑΝΔΡΟΥ, Diademed bust, rev. Fighting Athena. Square Æ,
Nike stephanephoros, rev. Humped bull (B. M. Cat., Pl. XXXI. 13 and
XII. 8).


Dionysius. Bilingual AR ¼ staters of Indian weight, ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ
ΣΩΤΗΡΟΣ ΔΙΟΝΥΣΙΟΥ, Bust of king diademed, rev. Fighting Athena.
Square Æ, Apollo standing, rev. Tripod; Royal diadem (B. M. Cat.,
Pl. XII. 9; XXXI. 14).


Zoilus. Bilingual AR ¼ staters of Indian weight, ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΔΙΚΑΙΟΥ
(or ΣΩΤΗΡΟΣ) ΖΩΙΛΟΥ, Bust of king diademed, rev. Herakles standing
or Athena fighting.


Circular and square Æ, obv. Apollo standing, rev. Tripod; obv. Head of
Herakles, rev. Bow and bow-case within ivy-wreath (B. M. Cat., Pl. XII.
10-13; XXXII. 1, 2).


Apollophanes. Bilingual AR ¼ staters of Indian weight, ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ
ΣΩΤΗΡΟΣ ΑΠΟΛΛΟΦΑΝΟΥ (sic), Bust helmeted(?), rev. Athena fighting
(B. M. Cat., Pl. XIII. 1).


Artemidorus. Bilingual AR staters and ¼ staters of Indian weight,
ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΝΙΚΗΤΟΥ ΑΡΤΕΜΙΔΩΡΟΥ, Bust diademed or helmeted,
rev. Artemis shooting with bow (type parlant); Nike stephanephoros
(B. M. Cat., Pl. XXXII. 3-5).


Square Æ, Artemis standing facing drawing arrow from quiver, rev.
Humped bull (B. M. Cat., Pl. XIII. 2); obv. similar, rev. Lion (B. M.,
unpublished).


Antimachus II (Nikephoros). Bilingual AR ¼ staters of Indian weight,
ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΝΙΚΗΦΟΡΟΥ ΑΝΤΙΜΑΧΟΥ, Nike stephanephoros, rev.
King on horseback.


Square Æ, obv. Aegis, rev. Wreath and Palm (B. M. Cat., Pl.
XIII. 3, 4).

843

Philoxenus. Bilingual AR staters and square ¼ staters of Indian
weight, ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΝΙΚΗΤΟΥ ΦΙΛΟΞΕΝΟΥ, Bust diademed or helmeted, rev. King on horseback. Square Æ, obv. Tyche or City, standing
with cornucopia, rev. Humped bull, obv. Helios standing, rev. Nike
stephanephoros (B. M. Cat., Pl. XIII. 5-10).


Nicias. Bilingual AR ¼ staters of Indian weight, ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΣΩΤΗΡΟΣ ΝΙΚΙΟΥ. Bust diademed, rev. Figure standing holding palm (B. M.
Cat., Pl. XXX II. 6).


Square Æ, obv. Bust diademed, rev. King on horseback or Anchor with
dolphin twined round it (B. M. Cat., Pl. XIII. 11, 12).


Hippostratus. Bilingual AR staters and ¼ staters of Indian weight,
ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΣΩΤΗΡΟΣ ΙΠΠΟΣΤΡΑΤΟΥ, Bust diademed, rev. Tyche or
City standing. Others, often with additional title, ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥ, rev. King
on horseback (B. M. Cat., Pl. XIV. 1-5).


Square Æ, obv. Triton holding dolphin and rudder, rev. Turreted
female figure holding palm; obv. Apollo standing, rev. Tripod; obv.
Figure enthroned facing, rev. Horse (B. M. Cat., Pl. XIV. 6-8).


Amyntas. Bilingual AR staters and ¼ staters of Indian weight, ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΝΙΚΑΤΟΡΟΣ ΑΜΥΝΤΟΥ, Bust helmeted, diademed, wearing
kausia, or bare, rev. Athena fighting or Zeus Nikephoros enthroned
facing (B. M. Cat., Pl. XIV. 9, 10).


Square Æ Bust of bearded deity radiate, wearing Persian tiara, rev.
Athena standing (B. M. Cat., Pl. XIV. 11).


Peucolaus. Bilingual Æ square, ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΔΙΚ ΑΙΟΥ ΚΑΙ ΣΩΤΗΡΟΣ ΠΕΥΚΟΛΑΟΥ, Artemis, rev. A City-Tyche, in l. hand cornucopiae
(B. M.; cf. Num. Chron., 1896, p. 269).


Polyxenus. Bilingual Æ square, ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥ (sic)
ΣΩΤΗΡΟΣ ΠΟΛVΞΕΝΟΥ, Bust helmeted, rev. Aegis (Num. Chron.,
1896, p. 269).


Telephus. Bilingual AR ¼ staters of Indian weight, ΒΑΣΙΛΩΣ ΕΥΕΡΓΕΤΟΥ ΤΗΛΕΦΟΥ, Giant Skythes (?) serpent-footed, holding hammer in
each hand, rev. Helios radiate and male figure wearing wreath or horned,
standing facing (B. M. Cat., Pl. XXXII. 7). Æ square, Zeus enthroned,
rev. Seated male figure (B. M.).


Hermaeus. Bilingual AR staters and ¼ staters of Indian weight, ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΣΩΤΗΡΟΣ ΕΡΜΑΙΟΥ, Bust diademed or helmeted, or King on
horseback, rev. Zeus enthroned facing (Fig. 372). Square and circular AE




FIG. 372.

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resembling AR, or obv. Head of bearded deity radiate or wearing Persian
tiara, rev. Horse, or Zeus enthroned (B. M. Cat., Pl. XV. 1-8).


The coins of this king are imitated by the non-Greek king Kadphises,
with the legend ΣΤΗΡΟΣΣΥ ΕΡΜΑΙΟΥ for ΣΩΤΗΡΟΣ ΕΡΜΑΙΟΥ. The
first word, though in form similar to the Greek ΣΩΤΗΡΟΣ which it
replaces, is probably an Indian title (Jour. Royal As. Soc., 1897, p. 319).
Some of these imitations have Nike on the reverse (B. M. Cat., Pl.
XXXII. 8).


Hermaeus and Calliope. Bilingual AR ¼ staters of Indian weight,
ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΣΩΤΗΡΟΣ ΕΡΜΑΙΟΥ ΚΑΙ ΚΑΛΛΙΟΠΗΣ, Busts of King
and Queen diademed, rev. King on horseback (B. M. Cat., Pl. XV. 9, 10).

Epigraphy. The Indian inscriptions on the reverses of the above-described coins are of two kinds, (α) Brāhmī, which occurs only on the
coins of Pantaleon and Agathocles, and (β) Kharoṣṭhī on those of all the
other monarchs. The legend almost always begins with the word

Maharajasa = ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ.



This is followed by one or more high-sounding epithets, such as

tratarasa = ΣΩΤΗΡΟΣ
dhramikasa = ΔΙΚΑΙΟΥ
jayadharasa = ΝΙΚΗΦΟΡΟΥ
apaḍihatasa = ΑΝΙΚΗΤΟΥ
mahatasa = ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥ
pracachasa = ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ
kalanakramasa = ΕΥΕΡΓΕΤΟΥ
rajatirajasa = ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΝ



Other words are also occasionally met with which cannot be rendered by
Greek equivalents. Last of all follows the king’ name, transliterated as
nearly as possible from the Greek, though sometimes hardly recognizable
in its Indian form, e. g.

Evukratitasa = ΕΥΚΡΑΤΙΔΟΥ
Stratasa = ΣΤΡΑΤΩΝΟΣ
Menaṃdrasa = ΜΕΝΑΝΔΡΟΥ
Heramayasa = ΕΡΜΑΙΟΥ



&c. For a complete list of these Prakrit legends, with their Greek and
English renderings, the student is referred to Professor Bühler’s paper on
‘Kharoṣṭhī Inscriptions on Indo-Grecian coins’ in the Wiener Zeit. f. d.
Kunde des Morgenlandes, viii. p. 193.


The series of kings bearing Greek names comes to an end with
Hermaeus, who probably reigned in the course of the last half-century
before the Christian era. The Greek character in a modified form
continued, however, to be used on the coins of the conquering Kushana
kings, Kadphises I (with types of Hermaeus), Kadaphes, Kadphises II,
Kanishka (ΚΑΝΗΚΙ) (A.D. 78-106 [1]), Huvishka (ΟΟΗΡΚΙ) (circ.
A.D. 111-129), and Vāsudeva (ΒΑΖΟΑΗΟ sic) (A.D. 152-176), for more


1 The Saka era, starting from A.D. 78, probably commences from the date of the establishment of the Saka empire in India by Kanishka.

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than a century after the Christian era. Among these the series with the
names (in Greek letters) and the figures of a large number of divinities
borrowed from various mythologies are of considerable interest; and in
their representation it will be noticed that a curious modification of the
Greek Ρ, viz. , has been introduced in order to express the sound sh,
which was foreign to Greek phonology.


This varied pantheon no doubt reflects the diversity of faith which
was professed in the different provinces of the great Kushana empire.
The Greek settlements in India, the Yavanas or Yonas (‘Ιωνες) of ancient
Indian literature and inscriptions, continued to strike coins with the
figures of Helios (ΗΛΙΟC), Selene (CΑΛΗΝΗ), Hephaestos (ΗΦΑΙCΤΟC),
Herakles (ΗΡΑΚΙΛΟ), or Sarapis (CΑΡΑΠΟ), while the Persian and
Scythic invaders, as well as the native Indian communities who had
adopted the use of the Greek alphabet, represented on their coins their
own divinities with the names expressed in Greek characters as :—
ΑΘΟ. ΑΑЄΙΧΟ, ΛΡΟΟΑCΠΟ (sic), ΜΑΝΑΟΒΑΓΟ, ΜΑΟ, ΜΕΙΡΟ,
ΜΟΖΔΟΑΝΟ, ΟΑΝΙΝΔΑ, ΟΡΛΑΓΝΟ, ΑΟΡΗΟΡΟ, ΦΑΡΡΟ (Persian),
ΝΑΝΑΙΑ, ΝΑΝΑ, or ΝΑΝΑΑΟ, and ΑΡΔΟΧΟ (Scythic), ΒΙΖΑΓΟ,
ΒΟΔΔΟ or ΒΟΥΔΔΟ (Buddha), ΜΑΑCΗΝΟ, ΟΑΔΟ, ΟΗΟ, CΚΑΝΔΟ
ΚΟΜΑΡΟ (Indian).