165–139 B.C. Greek Bactria Menander Drachm NGC VF

What Do You Know About Menander I?

You might be wondering just who the heck is Menander I? Well, in a nutshell, he’s widely regarded as the greatest of the Indo-Greek kings. A Greco-Bactrian turned Indo-Greek King who reigned from 155 B.C. until 130 B.C., Menander ruled over a territory that covered parts of present-day Afghanistan, Pakistan, and northern India. Famous for his military acumen and successful management of his kingdom’s economy, Menander is one of the few Bactrian kings mentioned in surviving Greek literature, where he was described as being even more formidable than Alexander the Great!

Menander The King And Savior Of Ancient Bactria

During his reign Menander extended his domain with conquests over the Indian subcontinent. There he became exposed to the teaching of Gautama Buddha and became a convert and patron to the religion. His prosperous reign also saw support for Greek arts and culture and earned him the sobriquet of “Menander the Savior.” While Menander’s kingdom slowly disintegrated following his death in 130 B.C, Buddhism was adopted by his successors and spread across the realm.

These 2,000+ year-old silver Drachms are rich with history from that time. Not only are they relics from the Hellenistic Era, but they are also important for the context of Buddhism in the Ancient World. Each shows the bust of Menander and the Greek epithet BASILEWS SWTHEROS MENANDROU or “Menander King and Savior.” The coin’s reverse shows the goddess Athena brandishing a thunderbolt in her right hand and a Sanskrit inscription that repeats the epithet from the coin’s obverse. It’s quite a symbolic design because Athena was revered as defender and savior of the people—a parallel that Menander is clearly drawing between himself and the beloved deity.

Bactria: A Central Hub Along The Silk Road

Located in Central Asia between the Hindu Kush mountain range and the Amu Dary River in what is today modern Afghanistan, Bactria was an ancient Iranian civilization that included parts of southwestern Tajikistan and southeastern Uzbekistan. It also the birthplace of Zoroaster, the founder of Zoroastrianism, a religious faith based on monotheism that began in around 10,000 B.C. that strongly influenced Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Bactria was conquered by the famous Persian King Cyrus the Great in the sixth century B.C. and later incorporated into Alexander the Great’s empire in 331 B.C. Its strategic location along the Silk Road between Europe and the Far East made Bactria a central hub for centuries and a region hungrily coveted by empires both East and West.

Certified By NGC In Very Fine Condition

Each one of these 165–139 B.C. Greek Bactria Menander Drachm available here comes certified, graded, and authenticated by the Numismatic Guaranty Company (NGC) as being in Very Fine (VF) condition with lots of detail still visible even after more than two millennia. Don’t miss your chance to own one of these stunning coins. Quantities are limited so reserve yours now!