Indo-Greek Kingdoms. Apollodotos I Soter (175-165BC)
Apollodotos I Soter (“the Savior”) was one of the earliest Indo-Greek kings, known for expanding Hellenistic influence into northwestern India. He is credited with establishing Greek rule in the Punjab and Gandhara regions and was among the first Indo-Greek rulers to issue bilingual coins with both Greek and Kharosthi inscriptions
AR drachm (2.40 g)
OBVERSE: Greek legend ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΣΩΤΗΡΟΣ ΑΠΟΛΛΟΔΟΤΟΥ (King Apollodotus Saviour). Elephant, wearing string of bells, standing right, mint mark of Pushkalavati workshops under the Elephant
REVERSE: Karosthi legend “Maharajasa Apaladatasa tradarasa”. Zebu bull standing right, monogram “No”. Breakdown of the Kharosthi Inscription:
- Maharajasa (𐨨𐨱𐨪𐨗𐨯) →A standard royal title used in Indian and Indo-Greek coinage
- Apaladatasa (𐨀𐨤𐨫𐨢𐨟𐨯) →”Of Apollodotos” (the name of the king, transliterated into Kharosthi script)
- Tratarasa (𐨟𐨪𐨟𐨪𐨯) →Equivalent to the Greek “ΣΩΤΗΡ” (SOTER) found on the obverse of his coins
Choice VF
References:
Z-62033 (similar coin)
cngcoins.com (similar coin sold)
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