| Author |
 Replies: 25 / Views: 3,320 |
|
Pillar of the Community
3352 Posts |
Demetrius I Trichalkon200-185 BC Diameter: 29.5 mm Weight: 12.61 grams Obverse: Head of elephant with bell hanging from neck Reverse: Caduceus. Reference: Bopearachchi-16, Mitchiner-1086, SNG ANS 209 Other: LOVELY brown and green patina, great example   Edited by stevex6
09/28/2012 07:36 am
|
|
|
|
Pillar of the Community
 3352 Posts |
Quote:
Bactria was a country in Central Asia, mostly on the territory of modern Afghanistan. The land along the Silk Route was an important transit centre for trade between Orient and Occident over countless centuries. Nevertheless, the history of Bactria is hardly known. Even the reigns of the Bactrian kings are difficult to ascertain Quote:
This coin was minted by order of Demetrius I, who was prince regent of Bactria during the lifetime of his father Euthydemos (c. 235-200 BC). When Euthydemos died, Demetrius took over sovereignty. He expanded his power deep into the Indian Subcontinent by subjugating extensive territories in nowadays Iran, Pakistan, Punjab and northern India. Quote:
That Demetrius had conquered India was shown on his coins. On higher denominations, the king was depicted wearing an elephant skin over his head, a symbol of the subjection of India since the campaigns of Alexander the Great (336-323 BC).
Small coins such as this one were much too minor to bear the portrait of a Bactrian king. Hence, the obverse of the coin features only the elephant skin. Quote:
The reverse of the trichalkon is also meaningful. With his conquests in India, Demetrius had won control over long tracks of the Silk Road. With this coin image he showed that trade was in his hands: It depicts a kerykeion, a caduceus guarantying sanctity to its possessor and the symbol of the Greek god of trade, Hermes (the Roman Mercury) Quote:
caduceus=> It is a short staff entwined by two serpents, sometimes surmounted by wings. In Roman iconography it was often depicted being carried in the left hand of Mercury, the messenger of the gods, guide of the dead and protector of merchants, shepherds, gamblers, liars, and thieves. Edited by stevex6
09/27/2012 8:55 pm
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
4973 Posts |
WOW...that is absolutely fantatic!  that indo-greek stuff is great...love it. |
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
4253 Posts |
Nice coin, but I thought you were giving it a rest. I also purchased an elephant coin a short time ago, but it's a Roman Sestertius. I'll show it on a separate thread sometime soon.
This IS a nice coin! Congrats Jerry
|
|
Pillar of the Community
3352 Posts |
I hurled myself off of the wagon, hit the rocky road and tumbled into the thorny bushes!! => when I finally emerged out of the carnage, I realized that I'd bought 4 fairly high-end coins ... Bing => this is merely one of four ... I have set a new standard for falling off of the wagon!! My name is stevex6, and I have a serious buying addiction!! => and loving it!!     => Bing, this coin rocks and it needed a home ... what was I to do? Edited by stevex6
09/27/2012 9:11 pm
|
|
Pillar of the Community
Canada
1411 Posts |
Very Nice! |
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
1549 Posts |
 Mine is similar but different. It was issued later by Maues 90-57 BC, AE28 and 9.3g. When I bought it ten years ago, I thought it was expensive so I feel your pain. |
|
Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
2838 Posts |
|
|
Pillar of the Community
3352 Posts |
Thanks guys ... your coin is very cool, yet it has certainly evolved from my earlier version (absolutely fascinating how coins evolve and change through the decades, eh?) ... very cool!!  |
|
Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
2838 Posts |
I like the 3/4 elephant of the earlier one, not sure if this was intended but it makes it look very life-like.
|
|
Pillar of the Community
3352 Posts |
? ... bobby, I don't know what you mean? (3/4 elephant of the earlier one?)
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
1549 Posts |
Yes, the earlier is far more lifelike.
|
|
Bedrock of the Community
United States
10047 Posts |
As people said in the 60's... Heavy man! OK - so Its late and I'm tired. I admit it took me a minute to see the elephant on this. BTW Steve I don't like you anymore. You keep showing me these great ancients and making me want to start looking into them even more ... and I am trying (not very well) to not get so involved in this hobby right now until I get a reference book for another hobby out the door! You are one of those people who makes it hard to NOT be more involved b/c you keep buying (and showing us) these amazing ancient gems! Quit! Cease! Desist! STOP IT ALREADY! But can we please see just one more?  How much squash could a Sasquatch squash if a Sasquatch would squash squash? Download and read: Grading the graders Costly TPG ineptitude and No FG Kennedy halveshttps://ln5.sync.com/dl/7ca91bdd0/w...i3b-rbj9fir2Edited by Earle42
09/27/2012 10:49 pm
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
5155 Posts |
Those coins are Indo-Nice.
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
1315 Posts |
very nice. I think I saw this coin and for a moment thought about it. I must of known...this one is for stevex.
Congrats! wow
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
2838 Posts |
Quote:
bobby, I don't know what you mean? (3/4 elephant of the earlier one?) Means its not looking directly at the viewer but slightly to one side, gives it a very life-like look, not something you see very often on coins which is quite surprising as it looks so good. Mainly busts are either facing or profile, I guess its considerably harder to cut an attractive 3/4. |
| |
Replies: 25 / Views: 3,320 |
Posted 09/27/2012 9:01 pm
