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Amyntas was another king known only from his coins who used a key monogram used by several of his
predecessors, including Heliocles II, Polyxenus, Philoxenus and Diomedes. Amyntas, however, has a great distinction: he produced the
largest silver coins known in ancient times: double decadrachms of the Attic standard, whose notional weight would be 84.80 gm. Not
one, but TWO types of such coins were issued. One is illustrated below; the other had on the reverse an enthroned city goddess
holding a cornucopia.
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Amyntas |
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Amyntas, Silver double decadrachm (Attic standard)
Weight: c. 85 gm. Diameter: c. 65 mm Die axis: n.a.
Diademed and helmeted bust of king right, bead and reel border around
Zeus enthroned three-quarters left, holding scepter and palm in left arm,
and holding Athena in his outstretched right hand, monogram left,
Greek legend around: BAΣIΛEΩΣ NIKATOPOΣ / AMYNTOY
(Basileos Nikatoros Amyntou ... of King Amyntas, the victor)
Reference: MIG 385a, Bop 1A
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This must be some coin to behold and hold in one's hand! The specimens illustrated by
Bopearachchi have diameters ranging from 62 to 67 mm, which is absolutely massive for a coin. What the purpose of these
remarkable objects was is unknown. (photo courtesy Osmund Bopearachchi)
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Amyntas, Silver drachm (Indian standard)
Weight: 2.44 gm. Diameter: 17 mm Die axis: 12h
Diademed bust of king right, Greek legend around:
BAΣIΛEΩΣ NIKATOPOΣ / AMYNTOY
Zeus enthroned three-quarters left, holding scepter and palm in left arm,
and holding Athena in his outstretched right hand, monogram left,
Kharoshthi legend around: maharajasa jayadharasa / amitasa
Reference: MIG 388b, Bop 4B
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Tetradrachms of this type are also known. Tetradrachms and drachms with a helmeted bust
are also known, but not illustrated here.
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Amyntas, Silver drachm (Indian standard)
Weight: 2.36 gm. Diameter: 18 mm Die axis: 12h
Diademed bust of king right, wearing kausia, Greek legend around:
BAΣIΛEΩΣ NIKATOPOΣ / AMYNTOY
Zeus enthroned three-quarters left, holding scepter and palm in left arm,
and holding Athena in his outstretched right hand, monogram left,
Kharoshthi legend around: maharajasa jayadharasa / amitasa
Reference: MIG 391b, Bop 7B
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No tetradrachms of this type are known.
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Amyntas, Silver drachm (Indian standard)
Weight: 2.40 gm. Diameter: 19 mm Die axis: 12:30h
Seen from behind, diademed bust of king right,
holding spear in right hand, Greek legend around:
BAΣIΛEΩΣ NIKATOPOΣ / AMYNTOY
Zeus enthroned three-quarters left, holding scepter and palm in left arm,
and holding Athena in his outstretched right hand, monogram left,
Kharoshthi legend around: maharajasa jayadharasa / amitasa
Reference: MIG 392a, Bop 9B
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Tetradrachms of this type are also known.
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Amyntas, Silver tetradrachm (Indian standard)
Weight: 9.78 gm. Diameter: n.a. Die axis: 12h
Seen from behind, diademed and helmeted bust of king right,
holding spear in right hand, Greek legend around:
BAΣIΛEΩΣ NIKATOPOΣ / AMYNTOY
Zeus enthroned three-quarters left, holding scepter and palm in left arm,
and holding Athena in his outstretched right hand, monogram left,
Kharoshthi legend around: maharajasa jayadharasa / amitasa
Reference: MIG 393b, Bop 10B
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The monogram on this coin is known only for the two denominations of this type (the
helmeted spearthruster types). (photo courtesy CNG)
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Amyntas, Silver drachm (Indian standard)
Weight: 2.53 gm. Diameter: 19 mm Die axis: 12h
Seen from behind, diademed and helmeted bust of king right,
holding spear in right hand, Greek legend around:
BAΣIΛEΩΣ NIKATOPOΣ / AMYNTOY
Zeus enthroned three-quarters left, holding scepter and palm in left arm,
and holding Athena in his outstretched right hand, monogram left,
Kharoshthi legend around: maharajasa jayadharasa / amitasa
Reference: MIG 394, Bop 11A
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These types are also known with theis more common monogram for Amyntas's coins.
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Amyntas, Bronze Quadruple
Weight: 8.06 gm. Dimensions: 21 x 22 mm Die axis: 12h
Bust of Zeus/Mithra right, wearing Phrygian cap,
scepter on left shoulder, Greek legend around:
BAΣIΛEΩΣ / NIKATOPOΣ / AMYNTOY
Helmeted Athena standing left, holding spear and shield, monogram left,
Kharoshthi legend around: maharajasa / jayadharasa / amitasa
Reference: MIG 396b, Bop 14C
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Amyntas, Bronze Quadruple
Weight: 8.14 gm. Dimensions: 21 x 22 mm Die axis: 12h
Bust of Zeus/Mithra right, wearing Phrygian cap,
Greek legend around:
BAΣIΛEΩΣ / NIKATOPOΣ / AMYNTOY
Helmeted Athena standing left, holding spear and shield, monogram left,
Kharoshthi legend around: maharajasa / jayadharasa / amitasa
Reference: MIG 396b, Bop 14C
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This variety differs from the previous one only in that Zeus-Mithra does not have a scepter on
his shoulder. These two types were the only bronze coins issued by Amyntas.
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