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Telephos (or Telephus) was an ephemeral king in the Gandhara region who perhaps succeeded Maues there. His coins are all very rare
and are most unusual in design; none of them bear his portrait. He may have belonged to an Indo-Scythian clan.
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Telephos |
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Telephos, Silver tetradrachm
Weight: 8.94 gm. Diameter: 26 mm. Die axis: 12h
Anguiped, with legs ending in lotus blossoms, Greek legend around:
BAΣIΛEΩΣ EYEOΓETOY / THΛEΦOY
(Basileos Evergetou Telephou ... of King Telephos, the benefactor)
Radiate Helios (sun god) and lunate Salene (moon goddess) standing facing,
Kharoshthi legend around: maharajasa kalanakramasa / teliphasa
Reference: MIG ---, Bop ---
This coin sold on Sep 19, 2012 for $16,100.
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An anguiped is a snake-legged deity and the coins of Telephos may be their only appearance
on any coinage. No tetradrachms of Telephos were known until the early part of the 21st century, when a few appeared. They are extremely rare, as
are all Telephos coins. Note the mis-spelling of the king's title in Greek on this coin. (photo courtesy CNG, as are some others on this page) |
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Telephos, Silver drachm
Weight: 2.13 gm. Diameter: 18 mm. Die axis: 12h
Anguiped, with legs ending in lotus blossoms, Greek legend around:
BAΣIΛEΩΣ EYEPΓETOY / THΛEΦOY
(Basileos Evergetou Telephou ... of King Telephos, the benefactor)
Radiate Helios (sun god) and lunate Salene (moon goddess) standing facing,
Kharoshthi legend around: maharajasa kalanakramasa / teliphasa
Reference: MIG 451a, Bop 1A
This coin sold on May 18, 2011 for $2,645.
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Telephos, Silver drachm
Weight: 1.39 gm. Diameter: 16 mm. Die axis: 12h
Anguiped, with legs ending in lotus blossoms, Greek legend around:
BAΣIΛEΩΣ EYEPΓETOY / THΛEΦOY
(Basileos Evergetou Telephou ... of King Telephos, the benefactor)
Radiate Helios (sun god) and lunate Salene (moon goddess) standing facing,
Kharoshthi legend around: maharajasa kalanakramasa / teliphasa
Reference: MIG 451a, Bop 1A
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Telephos, Silver tetradrachm
Weight: 9.42 gm. Diameter: 26 mm. Die axis: 12h
Anguiped, with legs ending in lotus blossoms, Greek legend around:
BAΣIΛEΩΣ EYEPΓETOY / THΛEΦOY
(Basileos Evergetou Telephou ... of King Telephos, the benefactor)
Radiate Helios (sun god) walking right up a pile of rocks,
lunate Salene (moon goddess) standing facing, with stars flanking her lunar crown,
Kharoshthi legend around: maharajasa kalanakramasa / teliphasa
Reference: MIG ---, Bop ---
This coin sold on Jan 7, 2013 for $17,250.
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An amazing coin, apparently unique, that appeared in a recent auction. Helios here has an
elaborate halo and Salene not only has the lunar crescent on her brow, but has stars flanking it, representing the night sky. |
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Telephos, AE hemi-obol or quadruple unit
Weight: 8.95 gm. Dimensions: 21 x 20 mm. Die axis: 12h
Zeus enthroned three-quarters left, Greek legend around:
BAΣIΛEΩΣ / EYEPΓETOY / THΛEΦOY
(Basileos Evergetou Telephou ... of King Telephos, the benefactor)
Man (fakir?) squatting right, holding a walking stick ?
Kharoshthi legend around: maharajasa / kalanakra / masa teliphasa
Reference: MIG 453a, Bop 3A
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Telephos, AE hemi-obol or quadruple unit
Weight: 7.21 gm. Dimensions: 21 x 24 mm. Die axis: 12h
Zeus enthroned three-quarters left, Greek legend around:
BAΣIΛEΩΣ / EYEPΓETOY / THΛEΦOY
(Basileos Evergetou Telephou ... of King Telephos, the benefactor)
Man (fakir?) squatting right, holding a walking stick ?
Kharoshthi legend around: maharajasa / kalanakra / masa teliphasa
Reference: MIG 453a, Bop 3A
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Telephos, AE hemi-obol or quadruple unit
Weight: 9.46 gm. Dimensions: n.a. Die axis: 12h
Zeus enthroned three-quarters left, Greek legend around:
BAΣIΛEΩΣ / EYEPΓETOY / THΛEΦOY
(Basileos Evergetou Telephou ... of King Telephos, the benefactor)
Man (fakir?) squatting right, holding a walking stick ?
Kharoshthi legend around: maharajasa / kalanakra / masa teliphasa
Reference: MIG 453a, Bop 3A
This coin sold on Jan 5, 2009 for $2,300.
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