Indo-Scythian tetradrachm
Indo-Scythian is a fascinating yet little-known culture that emerged in neighboring regions of Pakistan (Sindh) and India (Gujarat) in the first century BC. At that time, Iranian-speaking Sacae tribes that had settled in Sogdiana after overrunning the Greco-Bactrian kingdom in the second century BC, were themselves displaced by Yuezhi nomads (that would later become famous as Tocharians or Kushans). The Sacae fled first into the Parthian Empire, but eventually moved into and superseded the Indo-Greek kingdoms. The Hellenic cities continued to thrive there for some time, and the new Indo-Scythian rulers issued coinage reflecting the ongoing syncretism between local and Hellenic cultures, with Greek inscriptions on the obverse and Kharosthi on the reverse. The king that issued this Indian standard tetradrachm (Azes) is known only through his coinage. The coin is of the KMS type (king mounted with spear) on the obverse and depicts a thunderbolt-hurling Athena on the reverse, which illustrates the lineage continuity with Athena Alkidemos, the tutelary goddess of Pella. Other deities shown on the reverse are Zeus or Niké.
KÖNIGREICH. Azes, ca. 58 - 12 v. Chr. Tetradrachme im indischen Standard ø 27mm (9.21g). Vs.: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΝ ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥ / ΑZΟΥ, König mit Speer auf n. r. stehendem Pferd, im Abschnitt Kharoshthi-Buchstabe. Rs.: Maharajasa rajarajasa mahatasa / Ayasa, Athena mit Schild u. Blitzbündel n. l., l. im Feld Monogramm, r. Kharoshthi-Buchstabe. Senior 90.22T; Mitchiner 6, 752a; HGC 12, 631.
Ex Münz Zentrum Rheinland 151, 2009, Los 306.
Condition: Herrliche Tönung, Vs. kl. Kratzer, vz/ss -vz