|
Early writers thought these coins were issues of Menander I or Menander Soter (that is, they did not realize that Menander II or Menander Dikaios was a
different king). The distinction was first proposed by A.N. Lahiri. Menander II seems to have had a brief reign in Gandhara and Arachosia (southern Afghanistan).
|
|
Menander II |
|
Menander II, Silver drachm
Weight: 1.64 gm. Diameter: 17 mm Die axis: 12h
Bare-headed, diademed bust of king right, Greek legend around: BAΣIΛEΩΣ ΔIKAIOY / MENANΔPOY
(Basileos Dikaiou Menandriou ... of King Menander, the just)
Winged Nike standing right, holding palm and conferring diadem with her right hand
Kharoshthi legend around: maharajasa dhramikasa / menamdrasa
Reference: MIG 228 var, Bop 1 var
|
|
No silver tetradrachm of Menander II is yet known and all his coins are quite rare. The monogram on this coin was
unlisted for this type until this specimen appeared at auction. (Several photos on this page courtesy CNG)
|
|
Menander II, Silver drachm
Weight: 2.41 gm. Diameter: n.a. Die axis: 12h
Helmeted, diademed bust of king right, Greek legend around: BAΣIΛEΩΣ ΔIKAIOY / MENANΔPOY
(Basileos Dikaiou Menandriou ... of King Menander, the just)
Winged Nike standing right, holding palm and conferring diadem with her right hand
Kharoshthi legend around: maharajasa dhramikasa / menamdrasa
Reference: MIG 229b, Bop 2B
|
|
Menander II, Silver drachm
Weight: 2.14 gm. Diameter: 18 mm. Die axis: 12h
Helmeted, diademed bust of king right, Greek legend around: BAΣIΛEΩΣ ΔIKAIOY / MENANΔPOY
(Basileos Dikaiou Menandriou ... of King Menander, the just)
King riding horse prancing right,
Kharoshthi legend around: maharajasa dhramikasa / menamdrasa
Reference: MIG 230 var, Bop 3 var
|
|
The monogram on this coin was known for the previoous type, but not for
this type until this specimen appeared at auction.
|
|
Menander II, Silver drachm
Weight: 2.22 gm. Diameter: 18 mm. Die axis: 12h
Diademed bust of king left, seen from behind, thrusting spear with right hand,
Greek legend around: BAΣIΛEΩΣ ΔIKAIOY / MENANΔPOY
(Basileos Dikaiou Menandriou ... of King Menander, the just)
Zeus enthroned three-quarters left, holding winged Nike in his right hand, wheel below,
Kharoshthi legend around: maharajasa dhramikasa / menamdrasa
Reference: MIG ---, Bop 4A
|
|
Menander II, Silver drachm
Weight: 2.24 gm. Diameter: 18 mm. Die axis: 12h
Diademed bust of king left, seen from behind, thrusting spear with right hand,
Greek legend around: BAΣIΛEΩΣ ΔIKAIOY / MENANΔPOY
(Basileos Dikaiou Menandriou ... of King Menander, the just)
Winged Nike standing right, holding palm and conferring diadem with her right hand
Kharoshthi legend around: maharajasa dhramikasa / menamdrasa
Reference: MIG ---, Bop ---
|
|
This coin, a previously unknown type, combines the obverse of the previous type and the reverse of the first two coins shown
on this page.
|
|
Menander II, Bronze Quadruple
Weight: 8.63 gm. Dimensions: 22 x 25 mm. Die axis: 12h
Helmeted Athena standing left, holding spear and palm in left hand, conferring blessing with right hand,
Greek legend around: BAΣIΛEΩΣ / ΔIKAIOY / MENANΔPOY
(Basileos Dikaiou Menandriou ... of King Menander, the just)
Lion seated left,
Kharoshthi legend around: maharajasa / dhramikasa / menamdrasa
Reference: MIG ---, Bop ---
|
|
Menander II, Bronze Quadruple
Weight: 5.34 gm. Dimensions: 19 x 21.5 mm. Die axis: 12h
Warrior standing three-quarters right, holding spear,
Greek legend around: BAΣIΛEΩΣ / ΔIKAIOY / MENANΔPOY
(Basileos Dikaiou Menandriou ... of King Menander, the just)
Lion standing left with paw raised,
Kharoshthi legend around: maharajasa / dhramikasa / menamdrasa
Reference: MIG 253, Bop 6A
|
|
Menander II, Bronze Half unit
Weight: 0.95 gm. Dimensions: 12 x 12 mm. Die axis: 12h
Hercules standing facing, crowning himself with right hand, holding club and lion skin in left hand,
Greek legend around: BAΣIΛEΩΣ / ΔIKAIOY / MENANΔPOY
(Basileos Dikaiou Menandriou ... of King Menander, the just)
Caps and palms of the Dioscuri,
Kharoshthi legend around: maharajasa / dhramikasa / menamdrasa
Reference: MIG ---, Bop ---
|
|
This coin, another previously unknown type, recalls a bronze type of Antialkidas, which featured a bust of Hercules and the same reverse.
(See the second-to-last coin on the Antialcidas page .
|
|
|