2020-11-07 Sat

Maues was the first Indo-Scythian king; he invaded India and established Saka hegemony by conquering Indo-Greek territories. The Indo-Scythian or Saka were the nomadic people; who came from Central Asia and later made their way into Bactria in the second century BCE. King Maues is considered as the first recorded ruler of the Saka in the Indus. We can also find his reference in the Moga inscription. The Moga, is also called as Taxila copper-plate or Patika Copper Plate, it is a notable archaeological artifact that is found in an area of Taxila, Gandhara, in modern Pakistan. It is now in the collection of the British Museum.

This copper unit that weighs around 9.2g was issued by Indo-Scythians ruler Maues during his rule. The obverse of this coin depicts ‘Standing Elephant facing towards the right with unraised trunk with Greek legend around’. The reverse of this coin depicts ‘Standing Bull facing towards the right in front or Monogram with Kharosthi legend around’.

Image Courtesy: Todywalla Auction