Opinions On Menander Coin.

I am just so torn, I feel like I really like this piece. It is a large denomination, which would fit into my larger collection of the tetradrachm denominations of all over the ancient world. The obverse I think is gorgeous. I considered looking at the smaller drachm denomination and the obverse on those is really neat, "the heroic" bust. I have one in super bad condition that you guys ID'ed for me. The drachm is small, even for drachms. I feel as tho I might be going against the norm and slightly favoring the large weaker example rather then the smaller more "heroic example" Athough I think that obverse picture and reverse script really cement the feeling of culture of the time. I am not really sure what to do. I think we can agree on $250. I really think that with out these certain "imperfections" I might not be able to afford the larger denomination with all the trimmings. The sickness that is ancient coins. There is a lot of things I like that I wish I had. I would kill for a Carthaginian electrum stater c. 300 BC Wow... well I guess I can dream.

I was just thinking about the Trajan tetradrachm featuring melkart I have been eye balling.

=> good job, A-noob!! => glad to hear that you took the ol' plunge!! (gorgeous coin)

BTW: Without feeling guilty of bragging, I think my coin above is the 'best' obverse legend variety. Compared to the two on acsearch and the two in Sear, who sees why I like mine 'best'?

dougsmit's coin is PHOENICIA, Tyre. Trajan, 98-117 AD. AR Tetradrachm Laureate head resting on eagle, club in field / Laureate head of Melqart.

Not sure exactly why you like it better but yours has a Theta in the reverse legend.

The theta is the nine in the Greek numeral 19 for the TRP date (DHMAPX E=). Trajan denarii often refer to him as Optimus = best. This coin is Greek and includes in the obverse legend the Greek word of best abbreviated (APICT) before the list of places he conquored (Germany and Dacia). Most of these coin omit the APICT. They are common coins. Just now there are 3 on ebay and about 5 on NumisMall. It you look at all of them you really see how different dealers price coins of different grades. Nicer coins sell for a lot more! These coins circulated a lot so many are worn.

My own photos..

Bactria, Asia
Menander I Soter "Savior" (r. c. 155-130 BC)
AR Tetradrachm 26.5mm x 25.1mm (9.63g)
These figures represent my own measurements.



Gorgeous and glad I got it. The coin in hand is amazing. The kings portiret is in surprisingly high relief. The coin is fairly thin over all but the king really stands out. The obverse legends is pretty clear and you can clearly see the kings name. BASILEWS SWTHROS MENANDOU or King Menander the Savior. The reverse featuring the ornate Karosthi legend (although 3/4 off flan) MAHARAJA TRATASA MENADRASA "the savior king. (I could be wrong- I have found the description of the reverse legened is often described as just that. Rather then spelling it out. The reverse also features Athena Alkidemos (as protector of the city) Advancing with thunderbolt, now thats cool - Athena using Zeus' power.
Intersting...Menander was a Buddist Convert. This coin really shows off the true blending of east and west Greek on one side and and Karosthi on the other side.

I saw the first photo of Menander on the wikipedia page showing the Tet from the British Museum and though it was cool enough for me to shoot mine using a green pillow case as a background.
I also wanted to point out the chart of territories and look at Menander by far the most successful Bactrian King.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Menander_I

AncientNoob These coins are a lot more impressive in person--I didn't expect I'd like mine as much as I did.
A couple years back, there was an ancient Bactrian art show--and they had some tetradrachms--those were amazing!