| Obverse |
Diademed bust of king left, seen from behind, holding spear in thrust position in right hand, aegis on left shoulder, Greek legend around: BAΣIΛEΩΣ ΣΩTHPOΣ // MENANΔPOY |
| Reverse |
Athena Alkidemos standing right, holding aegis on outstretched left arm, hurling thunderbolt with right hand, monogram at left, Kharoshthi legend around: Maharajasa tratarasa // Menamdrasa |
| Date |
c. 160-130 BCE |
| Weight |
2.26 gm. |
| Diameter |
19 mm. |
| Die axis |
12 o'clock |
| Reference |
MIG 221b, Bop 6A |
| Comments |
The "heroic" spearthruster drachms of Menander are much sought after. They vary by whether Athena on the reverse is facing left or right; the right-facing coins (such as this one) are much scarcer than the left-facing ones. A further distinction is made between coins where the legends on both sides of the coin are continuous or interrupted (as this one is). A CHOICE specimen that could perhaps benefit from some gentle, skilled cleaning. |