A coin of the Indo-Greek king Menander (=Milinda) (r.c.160-130), bilingual between Greek (left) and the local Kharoshthi, also known as Gandhari (right)

Source: http://www.vcoins.com/ancient/lodgeantiquities/store/viewItem.asp?idProduct=3098&large=0
(downloaded Mar. 2006)



 

Drachma of King Menander of Bactria; reverse: Athena hurling a thunderbolt, and Kharoshthi script

Source: http://www.cobb.msstate.edu/museum/html/LR-03-1983-036.html
(downloaded July 2001)

"Helmeted Bust, left: "BASILEWS SWTHROS MENANDDRU" meaning, "of Menander King and Saviour". Right: Athena, holding aegis and hurling thunderbolt. Prakrit legend in Kharosthi script, "MAHARAJASA TRATASA MENANDRASA" meaning "Of the king, saviour, Menander"


One more, very clear, example of this design

Source: http://www.vcoins.com/ancient/lodgeantiquities/store/viewItem.asp?idProduct=3124&large=0
(downloaded Mar. 2006)


Here Menander presents himself in a decidedly un-Buddhistic style

Source: http://www.vcoins.com/ancient/yorkcoins/store/viewItem.asp?idProduct=1206&large=1
(downloaded May 2006)

"INDO-GREEK, Menander I (c.160 B.C. to 145 B.C.), Silver Bilingual Drachm,, 2.44g., Taxila mint(?), diademed heroic bust of Menander left, thrusting a javelin left, Greek legend; rev., Athena Pallas facing left, holding shield horizontal, Karosthi legend."


A coin of Menander's that shows an elephant head on one side, and on the other combines Kharoshthi script with the club of Herakles

Source: http://www.vcoins.com/ancient/sayles/store/viewItem.asp?idProduct=3132&large=1
(downloaded Sept. 2006)

"Baktrian Kingdom, Menander. Ca. 165/55-130 B.C. Æ 13 x 14 mm (2.48 g). Head of Indian elephant right, wearing bell / Club of Herakles; monogram to left, A to right."


Would this have been an Indic, or a Persian, bull-- or both?

Source: http://www.vcoins.com/ancient/cng/store/viewItem.asp?idProduct=3099&large=1
(downloaded Oct. 2006)

"BAKTRIA, Indo-Greek Kingdom. Menander I. Circa 165/55-130 BC. Æ Octuple (23 x 24mm, 20.32g, 12h). Facing bucranium; A to lower right / Tripod; crescent to left, monogram to right. Rare."



 
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