Azes II, Last Indo-Scynthian King, AR Drachm with Athena Reverse

I just photographed one of my two FUN purchases. It is a coin of the Indo-Scythian King Azes II, with a very uncommon Athena reverse. Most off these drachms had Athena on a side profile instead of front profile, or even more common, Zeus.

Please excuse the poor photography. This is a hard coin to photograph...especially due to busy design on reverse and the small size of the coin, and uneven toning between obverse and reverse.

Simply put, I did my best.


Azes II, Indo-Scythian Kingdom c. 35 B.C. - 5 A.D.
AR drachm,15.5mm (12h); 2.27g
Taxila Sirsukh Mint
ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΝ ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥ ΑΖΟΥ, king riding right on horseback, raising right hand, whip over shoulder in left, Karosthi letter Sa before horse;
Kharosthi legend: Maharajasa rajarajasa mahatasa Ayasa, Pallas Athena standing right, raising right hand, shield on left arm, transverse spear over back, Karosthi monogram left, Karosthi monogram right;
Fröhlich 248 ff.; Mitchiner IGIS, vol. 6, 825d
Ex: Tamco Numismatics (FUN Show Winter 2017)

The Scythians were a nomadic tribe inhabiting what is today Southern Afghanistan/Northern Pakistan. Ancient Roman sources from Republican times describe the Scythians as nomadic. At some point they conquered most of Northern India, and their rule lasted until around the beginning of the first millennia. Azes II may have been the last Indo-Scythian king in the northern Indian subcontinent (Pakistan). Indo-Scythian rule crumbled under the conquests of the Kushans who expanded into India to create the Kushan Empire. However, the Scythians continued to exert influence in Northern India for another 4 centuries.

Some historians question whether Azes II actually existed and say these coins should be attributed to the earlier king Azes I, who ruled from 48 BCE - 25 BCE. However, most historians still believe Azes II was a separate king.

 

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Thats a real beauty compared to my common Zeus - Niké drachm.
Congrats Sallent
Its assumed Azes II was Casper , one of the three kings of the east to bring honour and gifts to the new born Jesus Christ in Bethlehem.
my picture is really bad, sorry.

 

Really? That is awesome. I had no idea Azes II might have had a biblical connection.

 

Sallent...I would say you scored a perfect "TEN" on photography/coin/history about coin

 

It wasn't Azes himself who made the journey all the way to Bethlehem , but his representive, a socalled Magi.

 

And you can be proud.

 

yeah, that coin looks like it would be a pain to photograph...a great little drachm though!

i thought this coin was going to be hard to photograph, but it was a piece of cake.



Azes (II?), Indo-Scythian Kingdom, Ar Tetradrachm, 1st century BC

O: King mounted on horse right, holding whip, Kharoshthi letter at right, Greek legend around: BAΣIΛEΩΣ BAΣIΛEΩN MEΓAΛOY / AZOY R: Pallas Athena standing right, holding right hand outstretched, holding spear in left, monograms at left and right, Kharoshthi legend around: maharajasa rajarajasa mahatasa / ayasa 24 mm, 9.6 g Reference: MIG 848k, Sen 98.374T

 

A good photo of a cool coin!

 

Here's one of Athena facing right:


Azes II, Indo-Scythians, BC 57 -12
AR, drachm, 2g, 16mm; 6h, uncertain mint west of Taxila
Obv.: BAΣIΛEΩΣ BAΣIΛEΩΣ MEΓAΛOY AZOY; king on horseback right, raising right hand holding (?), whip in left, Kharosthi letter "ņa" before
Rev.: Kharoshthi legend around: maharajasa rajadirajasa mahatasa ayasa; Pallas-Athena standing right with shield and spear, monograms on either side

Question:
Anyone care to guess what Azes is holding in his right hand? I've seen it described before...or I think I have.

 

Cool coin Mr @Sallent !

I think I have his Dad:


INDIA, Indo-Scythian Kings.
Azes I. Ca 57-30 BC.
AR Drachm, 2.3g, 15mm, 11h.
Obv.: BAΣIΛEΩΣ BAΣIΛEΩN MEΓAΛOY / AZOY; Emperor on horseback right, holding whip and raising right hand, bow on his back. Karosthi letter in right field.
Rev.: MAHARAJASA RAJARAJASA MAHATASA AYASA; Zeus standing left, holding long scepter and Nike, monograms in right and left fields.
Reference: Senior - ,Whitehead -
Ex: The Ever Deliverer - @John Anthony

 

Think you did great both on the coin and on the photo !
Here one of mine for comparison. My Athena side is a bit less detailed. I always tended to think she was standing facing, but had her head turned a bit to the side. It is a bit clearer here that she has a thunderbold in her raised right hand.

 

seems like most of the attributions just say "raised had", i thought i was a wreath or something?

 

Thanks for the post, Sallent!

Here's a pic of one of the boxed collections I purchased from the Educational Coin Company. I really like these theme sets. They make great gifts and they always look great in a display case.