Description
Indo-Greek Kingdom, Apollodotus I, Indo-Greek King circa 180-160 BC, Silver Drachm (2.41g, 16x16mm, Post-Mauryan Indian standard), uncertain mint in Paropamisadai or Gandhara. Obverse: Elephant stands facing to the right, “KP” monogram below, Greek legend surrounds, “BAΣIΛEΩΣ AΠOΛΛOΔOTOΥ ΣΩTHΡOΣ”. Reverse: Bull stands facing to the right, “Δ” below, Kharoshthi Prakrit legend surrounds, “’ 𐨨𐨱𐨪𐨗𐨯 𐨀𐨤𐨫𐨡𐨟𐨯 𐨟𐨿𐨪𐨟𐨪𐨯”. Bopearachchi-4C; HGC 12, 119. Cleaned in the past and of bright appearance therefore, some horn silver on reverse, clear example nonetheless, a scarce piece in grade, Very Fine.
The obverse Ancient Greek legend reads “βασιλεύς Ἀπολλόδοτος σωτήρ” (English transliteration of “Basileús Apollódotos sōtḗr”), with an English translation of “King Apollodotos, the Saviour”. The reverse Kharosthi Prakrit legend has an English transliteration of “Maharajasa tratarasa Apaladatasa”, with an English translation of “of the Great King Apollodotos the Savior”.
Similar example was sold by Leu Numismatik, similarly cleaned and several flan flaws sold for the equivalent of 370AUD; a better grade example but with severe deposits sold for the equivalent of 810AUD.