nomos . . . . . . auction 2, zürich 18 may 2010
THE INDO-GREEK KINGDOMS
145
145.
Antialkidas. Circa 115-95 BC. Drachm (Silver, 2.44 g 12). ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΝΙΚΗΦΟΡΟΥ ΑΝΤΙΑΛΚΙΔΟΥ Diademed and draped bust of Antialkidas to right, wearing kausia. Rev. Maharajasa jayadharasa Amtialikidasa Zeus seated on throne to left, half facing, holding Nike in his right hand and scepter in his left; to left, forepart of elephant to right. Bop. 13 B, 42. SNG ANS 1094. Beautifully toned and well struck. Good extremely fine. 1000
2:1
One of the many remarkable facets of the Indo-Greek coinage is its bilingual nature: the inscription on the obverse is in Greek while that of the reverse is in the local Kharosti script. This type of usage is found nowhere else in the Greek world.
146
146.
Menander II. Circa 90-80 BC. Drachm (Silver, 2.41 g 12). ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΔΙΚΑΙΟΥ ΜΕΝΑΝΔΟΥ Helmeted, diademed and draped bust of Menander II to right. Rev. Maharajasa dhramikasa Menamdrasa Nike walking right, holding wreath and palm branch; to left, monogram. Bopearachchi 2B. Mitchiner 229b (Menander I). SNG ANS 1270/1269. Extremely rare. Nicely toned and struck. Nearly extremely fine. 2750 Ex Triton X, 9 January 2007, 461.
JUDAEA
2:1
147
147.
Bar Kochba Revolt. 132-135 CE. Large Bronze (Bronze, 35mm, 43.56 g 12), year 1 = 132/133. Inscription in three lines reading Shim’on Prince of Israel within palm wreath with large oval jewel at the top. Rev. Year One of the Redemption of Israel Amphora with fluted body, high foot and curved handles. AJC II 3b. Hendin 677. Mildenberg 1 (O1/R1). TJC 220b. . Very rare. Partially flat struck, otherwise, very fine. 10,000 From the Patrick H. C. Tan Collection. What is interesting about this coin is how off struck it is: while Bar Kochba’s minters were primarily interested in getting coins out into circulation, and were working very rapidly, they usually did not produce such partially struck pieces. In addition this coin seems to have seen a great deal of actual circulation wear and that, in itself, is most strange since the war only lasted about four years. It seems more than likely that this large coin later served as a talisman for its owner, being carried for many years before its ultimate loss. Such use is attested by the appearance of a number of other Bar Kochba coins that have been holed for suspension in antiquity and then lost. It seems quite certain that after the revolt was crushed the coins were outlawed by the Roman authorities so that their continued possession, even as talismans, would have been dangerous for their ancient owners. The owner of this piece must have been a great patriot to have held it long enough to give it the amount of wear it has.
2:1
71