Graeco-Bactrian/Indo-Greek Kingdoms

g r a e c o - b a c t r i a n s
i n d o - g r e e k s

Covering roughly modern Afganistan, Pakistan and northern India, these isolated Greek kingdoms survived for more than two centuries starting with the renegade Seleucid satrap Diodotus in 256 BC. (Greeks had been settled here by Alexander the Great and perhaps by the Persians before him). More than 40 Greek kings ruled this area until the Bactrian dynasties were overrun by 'Scythian' invaders circa 130 BC, and the Indian kingdoms, lasting about another century, by the Kushans. Dating follows Bopearachchi (1991) except for Demetrius II.

r e f e r e n c e s

The Indo-Greek Kingdoms
until the time of the nomad migrations

House of Diodotos

Diodotos I and II (circa 250 - 230 BC)
96K JPG
Diodotos I and II (circa 250 - 230 BC)
AE Attic-standard Double
SNG ANS 9, 106
20 x 19 mm.
5.93 gm.
Die position=6h
Obverse: Bust of Hermes waering petasus, right.
Reverse: Athena standing, facing. No monogram.

House of Euthydemos

Euthydemos I (circa 230 - 200 BC)
116K JPG
Euthydemos I (circa 230 - 200 BC)
AE Attic-standard Double
SNG ANS 9, 151
23 mm.
7.65 gm.
Die position=3h
Obverse: Head of Herakles, right.
Reverse: Horse prancing, right. No monogram.

100K JPG
Euthydemos I (circa 230 - 200 BC)
AE Attic-standard Double
SNG ANS 9, 146
23 x 22 mm.
6.28 gm.
Die position=6h
Obverse: Head of Herakles, right.
Reverse: Horse prancing, right. No monogram.
Note: Crude style; possible imitation.

Demetrios I (circa 200 - 185 BC)

Pantaleon (circa 185 - 180 BC)

Euthydemos II (circa 185 - 180 BCC)

Agathocles (circa 185 - 170 BC)
112K JPG
Agathocles (circa 185 - 170 BC)
Nickel/AE Attic-standard Double
SNG ANS 9, 237
21 mm.
7.65 gm.
Die position=11h
Obverse: Bust of Dionysos wearing wreath, right; thyrsus over left shoulder.
Reverse: Panther standing, right, touching vine. Monogram illegible.

104K JPG
Agathocles (circa 185 - 170 BC)
Nickel/AE Attic-standard Unit
SNG ANS 9, 239
19 x 20 mm.
3.72 gm.
Die position=12h
Obverse: Bust of Dionysos wearing wreath, right; thyrsus over left shoulder.
Reverse: Panther standing, right, touching vine. ΡΚ monogram.

Antimachos I (circa 175 - 165 BC)

Apollodotos I (circa 175 - 165 BC)
76K JPG
Apollodotos I (circa 175 - 165 BC)
AR Attic-standard Hemidrachm
SNG ANS 9, 300
16 mm.
1.97 gm.
Die position=12h
Obverse: Elephant walking, right.
Reverse: Humped bull walking, right. No monogram.

[Apollodotus I] 10K JPG
Apollodotus I (circa 174 - 166 BC)
AR Drachm
Mitchiner ACW 1754, SGCv2 7591
14 x 15 mm.
1.84 gm.
Die position=12h
reverse
Obverse: Elephant standing, right. Greek legend around.
Reverse: Humped bull standing right; Karoshthi legend.
Note: Courtesy Jamison T. Graff collection.

[Apollodotus I] 25K JPG
Apollodotus I (circa 174 - 166 BC)
AE Hemiobol (?)
Mitchiner ACW 1759v.; SGCv2 7594; SNG ANS 9, 376
23 x 22 mm.
8.98 gm.
Die position=12h
reverse
Obverse: Apollo standing with bow and arrow. Greek legend around.
Reverse: Tripod, monogram to right; Karoshthi legend.

Antimachos II (circa 175 - 165 BC)
88K JPG
Antimachos II (circa 175 - 165 BC)
AR Indian-standard Drachm
SNG ANS 9, 416
17 mm.
2.36 gm.
Die position=12h
Obverse: Nike standing left holding palm and fillet; monogram.
Reverse: King on horse prancing, right.

[Antimachos] 13K JPG
Antimachos II (c. 175 - 170 BC)
AR Drachm
Mitchiner ACW 1674, SGCv2 7546
17 mm.
2.42 gm.
Die position=11h
reverse
Obverse: Winged Nike standing left, holding wreath and palm; monogram in left field. Greek legend around.
Reverse: Armed horseman galloping right; Karoshthi legend.
Note: Courtesy Jamison T. Graff collection.

House of Eucratides

Eucratides I (circa 175 - 145 BC)
[Eucratides] 6K JPG
Eucratides I (circa 175 - 145 BC)
AR Obol
Mitchiner ACW 1720; SGCv2 7577
11 mm.
0.61 gm.
Die position=12h
reverse
Obverse: Diademed bust of king, right.
Reverse: Palms and pilei of the Dioscuri. Greek legend.

100K JPG
Eucratides I (circa 175 - 145 BC)
Attic standard AE double
Bopearachchi Serie 21; Mitchiner ACW 1728
21 mm.
4.55 gm.
Die position=1h
Obverse: Bust in crested helmet, right.
Reverse: Dioscuri on horseback, right; Greek legend. Monogram off flan.

[Eucratides I] 12K JPG
Eucratides I (circa 175 - 145 BC)
AE Hemiobol (?)
Mitchiner ACW 1728v.; SGCv2 -
22 x 21 mm.
6.62 gm.
Die position=1h
reverse
Obverse: Bust in crested helmet, right.
Reverse: Dioscuri on horseback, right; Greek legend around, monogram in field to right.
Note: Courtesy Jamison T. Graff collection.

[Eucratides I] 14K JPG
Eucratides I (circa 175 - 145 BC)
AE Hemiobol
Mitchiner ACW 1730v.; SGCv2 7582v.
23 x 24 mm.
8.05 gm.
Die position=1h
reverse
Obverse: Bust in crested helmet, right; Greek legend.
Reverse: Dioscuri on horseback, right; Karosthi legend around, monogram in field to right.
Note: Courtesy Jamison T. Graff collection.

Eucratides II (circa 145 - 140 BC)
[Eucratides II] 13K JPG
Eucratides II (Sogdian imitation) (?)
AR Drachm
circa 140 BC (?)
Mitchiner -, Mitchiner ACW -
19 x 20 mm.
3.58 gm.
Die position=12h
reverse
Obverse: Bust of Eucratides, right.
Reverse: Apollo standing facing holding arrow and bow.
Note: Courtesy Peter A. Linenthal collection.

Demetrios II (circa 145 BC)

Plato (circa 145 - 140 BC)

Heliocles I (circa 145 - 130 BC)
[Heliocles] 19K JPG
Heliocles I (circa 145 - 130 BC)
AR Drachm
Mitchiner ACW 1898, SGCv2 7639
18 x 17 mm.
3.12 gm.
Die position=12h
reverse
Obverse: Helmeted bust of king, right, all within fillet border.
Reverse: Zeus enthroned left, holding winged Nike and spear.
Note: Probably struck shortly before the Scythians occupied Balkh.

Menander (circa 165 - 135 BC)
76K JPG
Menander (circa 165 - 135 BC)
AR Indian-standard Drachm
SNG ANS 9, 700
17 x 16 mm.
2.44 gm.
Die position=12h
Obverse: Diademed bust of king, left, weilding spear.
Reverse: Athena Alkidemos standing right. Monogram in left field.

76K JPG
Menander (circa 165 - 135 BC)
AR Indian-standard Drachm
SNG ANS 9, 717
17 x 16 mm.
1.85 gm.
Die position=1h
Obverse: Diademed bust of king, left, weilding spear.
Reverse: Athena Alkidemos standing right. Monogram in left field.

76K JPG
Menander (circa 165 - 135 BC)
AR Indian-standard Drachm
SNG ANS 9, 788
17 mm.
2.24 gm.
Die position=12h
Obverse: Diademed bust of king, right.
Reverse: Athena Alkidemos standing left. Monogram in right field.

20K JPG
Menander (circa 165 - 135 BC)
AR Indian-standard Drachm
SNG ANS 9, 862
18 mm.
2.42 gm.
Die position=12h
reverse
Obverse: Bust with crested helmet, right. Greek legend around.
Reverse: Athena advancing left, brandishing thunderbolt and holding shield; Karosthi legend around, monogram in field to right.

[Menander] 8K JPG
Menander (circa 165 - 135 BC)
AE Dichalkon (?)
Mitchiner ACW -, SGCv2 7616
14 mm.
2.86 gm.
Die position=12h
reverse
Obverse: Elephant head with bell, right. Greek legend around.
Reverse: Club; Karosthi legend around, monograms in field to right and left.
Note: Courtesy Jamison T. Graff collection.

[Menander] 11K JPG
Menander (circa 165 - 135 BC)
AE Dichalkon (?)
Mitchiner ACW -, SGCv2 7616
15 x 13 mm.
3.13 gm.
Die position=12h
reverse
Obverse: Elephant head with bell, right. Greek legend around.
Reverse: Club; Karosthi legend around, monograms in field to right and left.

Strato I (circa 130 - 110 BC)

Zoilos I (circa 130 - 120 BC)

Lysias (circa 120 - 110 BC)
100K JPG
Lysias (circa 120 - 110 BC)
AE 20 square
SNG ANS 9, 1048
18 x 20 mm.
6.70 gm.
Die position=12h
Obverse: Bust right, holding club. Greek legend around.
Reverse: Elephant right; Karoshthi legend.

[Lysias] 16K JPG
Lysias (circa 120 - 110 BC)
AE 20 square
Mitchiner ACW 1838, SGCv2 7626
20 x 19 mm.
8.16 gm.
Die position=12h
reverse
Obverse: Bust right, holding club. Greek legend around.
Reverse: Elephant right; Karoshthi legend.

Antialkidas (circa 115 - 95 BC)
76K JPG
Antialkidas (circa 115 - 95 BC)
AR Indian-standard Drachm
SNG ANS 9, 1066
16 mm.
2.30 gm.
Die position=12h
Obverse: Diademed bust of king, right.
Reverse: Zeus enthroned holding palm and wreath; elephant in left field. Monogram under throne.

13K JPG
Antialkidas (circa 115 - 95 BC)
AR Drachm
Mitchiner ACW 1846, SGCv2 7629
18 x 16 mm.
2.35 gm.
Die position=12h
reverse
Obverse: Bust wearing flat kausia, right. Greek legend around.
Reverse: Zeus enthroned left, holding Nike; forepart of elephant facing left in left field. Monogram under throne; Karoshthi legend.
Note: Courtesy Jamison T. Graff collection.

[Antialkidas] 14K JPG
Antialkidas (circa 115 - 95 BC)
AE 19 square (Hemi-obol (?))
Mitchiner ACW 1849, SGCv2 7633
18 x 19 mm.
8.05 gm.
Die position=12h
reverse
Obverse: Bust right, holding thunderbolt. Greek legend around.
Reverse: Palms and caps of the Dioskouri; Karoshthi legend.

Heliocles II (circa 110 - 100 BC)

Polyxenos (circa 100 BC)

Demetrios III, Aniketos (circa 100 BC)

Philoxenos (circa 100 - 95 BC)
150K JPG
Philoxenos (circa 100 - 95 BC)
AE 20 square; Indian standard, medium weight
SNG ANS 9, 1199; Bopearachchi Serie 10
20 x 21 mm.
8.79 gm.
Die position=12h
Obverse: Tyche left, holding cornucopiae. Greek legend around.
Reverse: Humped bull, left; Karoshthi legend.

[Philoxenos] 15K JPG
Philoxenos (circa 100 - 95 BC)
AE 20 square (Hemi-obol (?))
Mitchiner ACW -, SGCv2 7666
20 x 19 mm.
8.93 gm.
Die position=12h
reverse
Obverse: Tyche left, holding cornucopiae. Greek legend around.
Reverse: Humped bull, left; Karoshthi legend.

Diomedes (circa 95 - 90 BC)

Amyntas (circa 95 - 90 BC)

Epander (circa 95 - 90 BC)

Theophilos (circa 90 BC)

Peukoloas (circa 90 BC)

Nicias (circa 90 - 85 BC)

Menander II, Dikaios (circa 90 - 85 BC)

Artemidoros (circa 85 BC)

Archebios (circa 90 - 80 BC)
75K JPG
Archebios (circa 90 - 80 BC)
AR Indian standard Drachm
SNG ANS 9, 1295; Bopearachchi Serie 3
16 mm.
2.03 gm.
Die position=12h
Obverse: Diademed bust, right. Greek legend.
Reverse: Zeus facing, clad in himation, hurling thunderbolt; Karoshthi legend.

Hermaeus (circa 90 - 70 BC)

Apollodotos II (circa 80 - 60 BC)
[Apollodotus II] 14K JPG
Apollodotus II (circa 80 - 60 BC)
AR Drachm
SNG ANS 9, 1542
17 mm.
1.99 gm.
Die position=12h
reverse
Obverse: Diademed bust, right. Greek legend around.
Reverse: Athena advancing left, brandishing thunderbolt and holding shield; Karosthi legend around, monogram in field to right.

[Apollodotus II] 11K JPG
Apollodotus II (circa 80 - 60 BC)
AR Drachm
Mitchiner ACW 2055, SGCv2 7672
15 mm.
2.30 gm.
Die position=12h
reverse
Obverse: Diademed bust, right. Greek legend around.
Reverse: Athena advancing left, brandishing thunderbolt and holding shield; Karosthi legend around, monogram in field to right.
Note: Courtesy Jamison T. Graff collection.

80K JPG
Apollodotus II (circa 80 - 60 BC)
AE Indian-standard Double
SNG ANS 9, 1602
16 mm. square
4.64 gm.
Die position=12h
Slightly magnetic.
Obverse: Apollo standing, right, holding arrow and bow.
Reverse: Tripod.

68K JPG
Apollodotus II (circa 80 - 60 BC)
AE Indian-standard Unit
SNG ANS 9, 1609
14 x 16 mm. square
1.41 gm.
Die position=12h
Magnetic.
Obverse: Humped bull standing right.
Reverse: Tripod.

Hippostratos (circa 65 - 55 BC)

Dionysios (circa 65 - 55 BC)

Zoilos II (circa 55 - 35 BC)

Apollophanes (circa 35 - 25 BC)

Strato II (circa 25 BC - 10 AD)

Hermaeus - Posthumous Issues
Circa 70 BC - 50 AD. Hard to believe all these types are all posthumous issues, lasting for over 100 years.

[Hermaeus] 13K JPG
Imitation of Hermaeus (circa 70 BC - 50 AD)
AR Drachm
Bopearachchi Serie 10 I var.
15 mm.
2.08 gm.
Die position=11h
reverse
Obverse: Diademed and draped bust, right. Greek legend around.
Reverse: Zeus enthroned, right arm outstretched; Karosthi legend around, monogram in right field.

85K JPG
Imitation of Hermaeus (circa 70 BC - 50 AD)
AR Indian standard Drachm
SNG ANS 9, 1380; Bopearachchi Serie 11
17 x 16 mm.
2.44 gm.
Die position=12h
Obverse: Diademed bust, right. Greek legend.
Reverse: Zeus enthroned, right arm outstretched; Karosthi legend around, monogram in right field, letter to left.

85K JPG
Imitation of Hermaeus (circa 70 BC - 50 AD)
AR Indian standard Drachm
SNG ANS 9, 1395; Bopearachchi Serie 11
17 mm.
1.96 gm.
Die position=10h
Obverse: Diademed bust, right. Greek legend.
Reverse: Zeus enthroned, right arm outstretched; Karosthi legend around, monogram in left field.

[Hermaeus] 14K JPG
Imitation of Hermaeus
Billon Drachm
Mitchiner ACW 2037v.
18 mm.
1.99 gm.
Die position=1h
reverse
Obverse: Diademed and draped bust, right. Greek legend around.
Reverse: Zeus enthroned, right arm outstretched; Karosthi legend around, monograms in left and right field.

162K JPG
Imitation of Hermaeus (circa 70 BC - 50 AD)
AE Indian-standard Quadruple
SNG ANS 9, 1439v.
27 x 26 mm.
9.10 gm.
Die position=7h
Obverse: Diademed bust of king, right.
Reverse: Zeus enthroned, right arm outstretched; Karosthi legend around, monograms in left and right fields.
Note: Two monograms in left field; overstruck on earlier coin?

130K JPG
Imitation of Hermaeus (circa 70 BC - 50 AD)
AE Indian-standard Quadruple
SNG ANS 9, ____; Bopearachchi Serie __
25 x 24 mm.
8.41 gm.
Die position=11h
Obverse: Diademed bust, right. Greek legend.
Reverse: Zeus enthroned, right arm outstretched; Karosthi legend around, monogram(s) in fields.
Note: Struck on modern bronze?

[Hermaeus] 20K JPG
Imitation of Hermaeus
AE Tetradrachm
Mitchiner ACW 2044, SGCv2 7738
21 mm.
9.15 gm.
Die position=2h
reverse
Obverse: Diademed and draped bust, right. Greek legend around.
Reverse: Zeus enthroned, right arm outstretched; Karosthi legend around, monogram in field to left.

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