Indo-Greek Apollodotus I AR Square Drachm

I've wanted one of these for a very long time, but never could find one that was affordable and easy on the eyes... until now!

Indo Greek kingdom
Apollodotus I
C. 180-160 BC
AR Drachm
16mm, 2.40g
BAΣIΛEΩΣ AΠOΛΛOΔOTOY ΣΩTHPOΣ, Elephant standing left
Kharosthi translation of above, Zebu standing left



Apollodotus I was probably the founder of the Indo-Greek kingdom, being the first ruler to rule India only; e.g. not Bactria. He minted a few rare coins to the Attic standard, then minted the bulk of his coinage to the ~2.4g Indian standard drachm. This would be the standard silver coin for daily use in India until the fall of the Maitraka dynasty and subsequent return to Attic weight under the Hunnic invasions.

No histories of Apollodotus survive, however it has been inferred that he was likely a prince or general under Demetrius I of Baktria. It is likely that he was a Buddhist, or at least respected that the majority of his population was. Although it largely fell to the Scythian invaders in the 1st century BC, the Indo Greek kingdom was one of the last Hellenistic kingdoms, finally fizzling out around 10-30 AD.