2020-10-29 Thu

This copper unit was issued by Indo-Greek ruler Antialcidas during this rule. The full name of Antialcidas was Antialcidas Nikephoros. He ruled this kingdom between 115 BC and 95 BC in the western part of Indo-Greek realms. He ruled this kingdom from his capital Taxila.

Antialcidas is well known from the inscription left on a pillar mentioned that the Greek king had sent his that ambassador Heliodorus to the king of Bhagabhadra at Vidisha, near Sanchi. It states that he was a devotee of Vishnu, the Hindu god.

The weight of this copper square unit is around 8.79g. The obverse of this coin depicts ‘diademed bust of the king to right holding thunderbolt on the shoulder with Greek legend around’. The reverse of this coin is inscribed as ‘cap of Dioscuri with palms in the centre and Kharoshthi legend Maharajasa Jayadharasa Amtialikidasa’.

Image Courtesy: Todywalla Auction