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 Replies: 13 / Views: 1,333 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5155 Posts |
I always find it interesting when you see the same old faces in different places.  Well this coin just arrived and I am pumped.  It is but a drop to quench the unquenchable thirst for TETRADRACHMS!     Greek Kingdom of Bactria Hermaios 80-75 BC - Afghanistan - Kabul Mint. AR Tetradrachm 26.8 mm, (9.44g) Obv: Diademed Bust of Hermaios Greek Legend- EPMAIOY BASILWS SWTHPOS (King Hermaios the Savior) Rev: Zeus Enthroned with Scepter with arm outstretched; monogram right; Kharoshti legend- I believe the reverse legend reads the same or similar to the obverse. Appealing to the non-Greek speaking populous of the Hindu Kush. Hermaios is considered the last King of the Unified Greek Kingdom. Dating the coins of this ruler is especially difficult. The historical record states that during the reign of Hermaios the Greeks lost control of the the abundantly producing silver mines of Afghanistan to the Bactrian Nomads whom would later be known as the Kushans. They themselves would issue a vast series of coinage all over central Asian and India, till about the 7th century AD. The coins attributed to Hermaios reign has been debated and is far from agreed upon. This particular specimen is attributed to Bopearachchi Series 10F. An early posthumous issue. Although in the paper by K. Walton Dobbins tackles this very subject. Since these coins were first discovered it was thought that life time coins bore the head of the king and queen on the obverse and the king on horseback on the reverse. Then a criteria for determining Nomadic Kushan imitations from the genuine issues was the genuine coins were round, made of fine silver and stuck in fine style with round omicrons but since the 1970's when this was written I am sure things have changed. As an added bonus to this coin- it was these series of coins which gave James Prinsep (1799-1840) the "Rosetta Stone" to finally decipher the Reverse Indic Script. The words of the ancient became readable once again, and gave us the closest connection to the true thought and logic of the BUDDHA, as the language was structurally similar that used during the lifetime of the Buddha. Enjoy this unusual tetradrachm all, comments, corrections, additions and suggestions are always appreciated.  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2044 Posts |
Very nice coin and also very interesting!
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Moderator
 United States
23731 Posts |
Congrats on acquiring this coin. I love it's design and excellent, they don't show uo very often. I don't think I've seen this type here before.
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Pillar of the Community
3352 Posts |
wow, awesome coin, A-Noob ... I'm assuming that this is the first of your 8-coin show!!? (was it 8, I can't quite recall) ... anyway ... => absolutely "great" coin!! Oh, and yes, you're correct => apparently we drool over the same coins!!   Edited by stevex6
11/02/2012 7:44 pm
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
5155 Posts |
I am eagerly awaiting several more eastern(ish) coins. I usually don't buy international but the maple leaves had some great deals this week.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5155 Posts |
Oh by the way- rhanks for chiming in guys, I was starting to think only Gil and Echizento liked it. I am still try to get Echizento to take the Greek plunge.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4973 Posts |
that is an AWESOME coin AN I've got a kabul mint coin incoming also, but it doesn't compare to yours..... make it rain indo-greeks up in here!  Edited by chrsmat71
11/02/2012 8:31 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1316 Posts |
Anoob, very cool coin, good size, looks like you got a little doubling on the reverse. well done... |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10045 Posts |
Very interesting coin and write-up! This is a good example of how the Greek influence 'wore off' as the time progressed in the Baktrian kingdom. The obverse has at least a nominal adherence to Bactrian potraiture, but the reverse shows stylistic abstraction at best. I'd love to have some Baktrian tets from the 3rd C. BC until this period--it would make quite a display! |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5155 Posts |
Woot! Woot! I am glad you guys like it! When I saw it online from a reputable seller I have done business with before, for a decent price, I had to throw down an offer, off the rip. The material and size is what roped me in, the legend and the history kept me from walking away but the reverse depiction of Zeus that I never saw before sealed the deal. This I can see becoming one of my favorites. Currently he sits in the album next to the tetradrachm of Menander. Noticing the empty space on the other side, I pulled the trigger on an extraordinary Kushan "Megas Soter" an AE Tetradrachm for $ 25 bucks! Most of them are really bad shape and the one I bought is only missing half of the reverse legend but I don't want to give away too much as that will be another thread.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5155 Posts |
Yea DV I was looking at one of the Elephant hat Demetrious Tetradrachms from the first Bactrian King but "they" all want like 3 grand... I just can't see spending that in one clip, when I can get 20 Tetradrachms of everyone and everywhere else. Otherwise I would be on it like white on rice.
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Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21788 Posts |
I really like this background sort of stuff.
It is a bit like finding a war service medal that some guy has pawned, and eventually finding out all of his service record, after searching through the official military archives.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5155 Posts |
You know sel your right! It wasn't until I started digging that it all hit me how profound this coin was...I am still tickled pink.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5155 Posts |
AWW man 24hrs and no new drool!...Must be running out of steam...
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Replies: 13 / Views: 1,333 |
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Posted 11/02/2012 5:14 pm
