Soter Megas Tetradrachm - An unusual ancient coin

WillieBoyd2

Soter Megas Bronze Tetradrachm

I bought this coin in 2004 from a dealer at a coin show.
I knew nothing about it except for what the coin holder said.

(Image Deleted)

Obverse:
Bust with radiate royal headband and holding sceptre
Three-pronged tamgha behind

Reverse:
Mounted king with tamgha in front

Greek legend:
"Basileu Basileon Soter Megas" or "King of Kings, Great Saviour"
Modest fellow, wasn't he?

Specs: Weight around 10 gm., Diameter 21 mm, Struck around 80-100 AD

Soter Megas was only identified as the Kushan king Vima Takto in the 1990's
Vima Takha seems to have recovered some Indian territory from the Indo-Parthians
He took the Kabul valley and then expanded into northern Pakistan

DesertRat

Very nice!

Sapyx

Neat coin from a little-understood series. Here are some good Kushan links, if you didn't know already:

Kushan Empire: Soter Megas coins on Grifterrec - one of the best reference sites for ancient Asian & Middle Eastern coinages.

The Wikipedia article for Vima Takto uses a couple of similar coins for illustrations. The article for the Kushan Empire is also interesting reading.

The only book I have to cover the series is Wayne G. Sayles "Ancient Coin Collecting" volume VI, "Non-Classical Cultures".

theboz11

If you get Discovery HDTV, there is an hour long program on the Kushan, Buddhism and the silk road trade. Great TV.
It seems the Kushan are the first to have made a figure in the likeness of the Buddha. I might add, something Buddha would have frowned upon, as he did not wish to be idolized or worshiped.