Apaladatasa Indo-Greek Coins of Haryana heritage Khokhrakot mint c. 174-165 BCE display Indus Script hieroglyphs, Greek & Kharoṣṭhī scripts (original) (raw)

-- Indus Script hieroglyphs are: ibha 'elephant' rebus ib 'iron'; pola 'zebu' rebus: pola 'magnetite' These are good examples of continuum of Indus Script and Meluhha tradition of Sarasvati-Sindhu Civilization in ancient Indian mints. Thanks to Prof. Vivek Dangi (whose article is appended) for courtesy of a silver coin image. Although Apollodotus I issued Attic weight tetradrachms, typical for Bactrian coinage, it is likely he ruled only south of the Hindu Kush, with the Attic weight tetradrachms, which are very rare, being largely ceremonial and a nostalgic look back at the days when his clan ruled in Bactria. He pioneered the "Indian standard" coinage that became the normal standard among all subsequent Indo-Greek kings. Bopearachchi dates reign of Apaladatasa to c. 174-165 BCE. http://coinindia.com/galleries-apollodotus1.html The coins are likely from Khokhrakot (Rohtak, Haryana) mint. Image Courtesy; Vivek Dangi Obverse: Elephant standing right, monogram below, Greek legend around: BAΣIΛEΩΣ / AΠOΛΛOΔOTOY / ΣΩTHPOΣ Reverse: Humped bull standing right, monogram below, Kharoshthi legend around: Maharajasa / Apaladatasa / tratarasa c. 174-165 BCE 2.21 gm.15 x 16 mm.MIG 207i, Bop 4G First silver coin of Indo-Greeks to enjoy wide circulation. Indo-Greek: Apollodotus I, Silver Attic weight hemidrachm, c. 174-165 BCE Weight: 1.74 gm., Diam: 14 mm., Die axis: 12 h Elephant walking right, Greek legend around: BAΣIΛEΩΣ AΠOΛΛOΔOTOY ΣΩTHPOΣ / Humped bull walking right, Kharoshthi legend around: maharajasa apaladatasa tratarasa Apollodotus's initial issue south of the Hindu Kush was this round Attic weight hemidrachm, with a nominal weight of 2.12 gm. It must not have found acceptance with the local population, as he abandoned it soon after (judging by the scarcity of this type) and switched to a square format coin reflecting the shape of the Mauryan karshapanas and a new weight standard of about 2.45 gm. Indo-Greek: Apollodotus I, Silver "Indian" weight drachm, c. 174-165 BCE Weight: 2.38 gm., Dim: 15 x 16 mm., Die axis: 12 h Elephant walking right, Greek legend on three sides: BAΣIΛEΩΣ AΠOΛΛOΔOTOY ΣΩTHPOΣ monogram below / Humped bull standing right, Kharoshthi legend on three sides: maharajasa apaladatasa tratarasa This was the "Indian style and standard" coin that replaced the previous one. These coins are relatively common.