Collection Item

From:UC Teece Museum of Classical Antiquities

Name/TitleCoin, silver drachm, Menander

About this objectThis drachm, roughly worth a day’s wage for a skilled worker in the ancient Greek world, breaks tradition by presenting inscriptions on both sides of the coin. The inscriptions read “Saviour King Menander” on both sides: in Greek script on the obverse and Karosthi, an ancient Indian script, on the reverse.

King Menander I was born from descendants of Alexander the Great’s troops and ran a substantial empire across the Indian subcontinent. His epithet, Soter (meaning “saviour”), was a title that he adopted for himself during his reign. Accounts suggest that he was a favourable king, becoming a patron of Buddhism and handing over his kingdom to his son before his death. The Greek historian Plutarch notes that the city states under Menander’s rule agreed to divide his bodily remains among themselves and erect honorary monuments of him in their respective cities.

The obverse side features the bust of Menander, wearing a helmet, while the reverse shows a figure, Pallas, striding left in the role of 'promachos' ('front fighter'), wearing a helmet and an aegis, and holding a fulmen (lightning bolt).

Date MadeMid 2nd Century BC

PeriodHellenistic

Place MadeMiddle East

Place NotesBactria

Medium and MaterialsMetal; Silver

Inscription and MarksGreek inscription of obverse: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΣΩΤΗΡΟΣ ΜΕΝΑΝΔΡΟΥ (BASILEŌS SOTEROS MENANDROU). Kharosthi inscription on obverse: 'Maharajasa tratarasa Menadrasa'. Mint mark also on obverse.

TechniqueStriking (metalworking)

TechniqueInscriptions

MeasurementsWeight 2.43g
Diameter ca. 17mm

Subject and Association KeywordsInscriptions, Greek

Subject and Association KeywordsArt and mythology

Subject and Association KeywordsKings and rulers in art

Subject and Association KeywordsClothing and dress

Named CollectionThe James Logie Memorial Collection, University of Canterbury, New Zealand

Credit LineDonated by M. K. Steven

Object TypeExchange Media

Object number180.96.7

Copyright LicenceAll rights reserved