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The Coin Galleries: Indo-Greeks: Telephos (c. 75-70 BCE)

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.

     
Telephos

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.
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)

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.

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

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.
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.

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

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

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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