The Indo-Greek Empire Coins (181 BC-10 AD)

The invasion of Alexander took place in the year 326 BC. He left some of his military generals and soldiers to occupy and rule his Indian and Central Asian conquests. One of his generals, Seleucus Nicator, founded the Seleucid Empire. In 303 BC, Seleucus led an army to the Indus where he encountered Chandragupta. The confrontation ended in a peace treaty.

Around 185 BC the Maurya dynasty was overthrown and Pusymitra Sunga ascended the throne and established the Sunga Empire which extended as far west till Punjab.

Around 181 BC, the Greco-Bactrian King Demetrius, son of the Greco-Bactrian King Euthydemus 1 invaded India across the Hindu Kush. Apollodotus, most likely made advances to the South while Menander led the invasion to the East. They conquered present-day Afghanistan and parts of Punjab and established what is known as the Indo-Greek Empire. Back in Bactria, however, in 175 BC, Eucratides managed to topple the Euthydemid dynasty and started a civil war by invading the Indo-Greek territory. Their advance was, however, checked by Indo-Greek King Menander.

The Indo-Greek rule later included the present-day Afghanistan, north-west parts of Pakistan and the Indian provinces of Kashmir and Punjab. During the two centuries of their rule, they combined the Greek and Indian languages and symbols, as seen on their coins. There were several dynasties and over 40 rulers and the main source of their information is numismatic evidences. The coins were made of gold, silver, copper and nickel and had details like the name, issuing authority, the year and a portrait of the monarch on the coins.

Coins circulated in the south of the Hindu Kush carried bilingual inscriptions using Greek and Prakrit, Kharoshthi or Brahmi scripts. 

Menander is considered the most successful Indo-Greek king. His coins are the most widespread of all. Following his death, most of the empire splintered and new kingdoms began to mint new coinage. The most prominent were the Yadheya and the Mitra and Dutta dynasty. 

In 80 BC, an Indo-Sycthian king named Maues, possibly an ally of some Indo-Greek kings captured Taxila and ruled Gandhara for a few years. After his death, the Indo-Greeks were able to regain control of Taxila and it was king Apollodotus II who was a descendant of Menander who regained Gandhara. 

The Indo-Greeks continued to maintain themselves in eastern Punjab until the kingdom of the last king, Strato II, was taken over by the Indo-Scythian ruler Rajuvula around 10 AD.

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Menander Silver Drachm, 160–145 BC, 2.35 gm

Obverse helmeted and draped bust of Menander.

 Reverse, Athena walking left, brandishing a spear and holding a shield. 

                                                   

Menander Silver Tetradrachm, 155–130 BC, 7.8 gm 

Obverse, Diademed bust viewed from behind, brandishing spear in right hand and in aegis on left shoulder.

 Reverse, kharoshti legend, Athena Alkidemos holding shield, M in left field, monogram in right field.

                                                  

Menander Silver Drachm, 160–145 BC, 1.7 gm, Pushkalavati mint

Obverse, Diademed draped bust.

Reverse, Kharosthi legend, Pallas Athena standing left, holding aegis in left arm and hurling thunderbolt with right, HA monogram.

                                                   

Menander AE Square Chalkos, 160-145 BC, 3.6 gm Pushkalavati mint

Obverse, elephant’s head right with bell around neck.

Reverse, Kharoshti legend around club. DHT monogram in left field, A in right field.

 

Apollodotus 1, AR Silver Drachm, 174-165 BC, (2.4 gm)

Obverse, elephant standing right. Reverse, Zeba bull standing right.             

                                                       

Apollodotus 1, AR silver Drachm, 174-165 BC, 2.36 gm

Obverse, elephant standing right. 

Reverse, Zeba bull standing right.

                                                        

                                                         

Apollodotus 1, Square Hemiobol, Taxila Mint, 174-165 BC.

Obverse, Apollo standing and holding arrow and resting bow on ground. 

Reverse, Kharosthi legend, tripod

                                                       

                                                             

Apollodotus II, Silver Drachm 80–65 BC, 2.27 gm

Obverse, Diademed bust.

Reverse, Athena Alkidemos standing holding shield.

                                                       

Apollododus II AR Silver Drachm 80–60 BC, 2.20 gm

Obverse, Diademed and draped bust. 

Reverse, Athen Alkidemos holding shield and thunderbolt, monogram to left.

                                               

                                                           

 Apollodotus II, Silver Drachm 80–65 BC, 2 gm

Obverse: diademed bust of Apollo right. 

Reverse: Athena Alkidemos standing holding shield.

  

                                                       

 Apollodotus II, Silver Drachm 80–65 BC, 2.2 gm Taxila mint

Obverse diademed bust of Apollo right. Reverse, Athena Alkidemos standing holding shield.

✩ courtesy Wikipedia