2020-10-04 Sun

Antimachus II was an Indo-Greek king; he ruled this kingdom between 174CE to 165 CE. During his rule, he ruled the vast territory from the Hindu-Kush to Punjab around 170 BCE. Antimachus II was the son of Antimachus I, who is known from a unique preserved tax receipt.

Antimachus II issued coins in a large number with a bilingual drachm similar to the Apollodutus I. The obverse of this coin depicts the king on a horseback, and the reverse side of this coin depicts God's Nike. He also issued bilingual bronzes with aegis/laurel wreath and palm. Both these and the goddess Nike seem to allude to his epithet "the Victorious".

This silver drachma that weighs around 2.41g was issued by him ruled his rule. The obverse side of this coin depicts the king on horseback prancing to right with Kharoshthi legend ’Maharajasa jayadharasa Amtimakhasa’ around. The reverse side of this coin depicts Nike standing to the left holding palm and fillet, monogram in left field with Greek legend ’BASIAEOS NIKHFOPOY ANTIMAXOY’ around.

Image Courtesy: Todywalla Auction