UNUSUAL BACTRIAN PORTRAITS

Among the most interesting and diverse portraits on ancient ‘Greek’ coinage are those of the Indo-Greek kings of Bactria, a region on the fringe of the Greek world. In addition to the portraits themselves, which many times have expressive and highly individualized features, these royal busts often are adorned with unusual helmets and headdresses.

For a base line we’ll start with a Bactrian portrait coin that has a ‘normal’ portrait – one adorned only with a royal diadem, a head band worn by Greek kings. Below is a silver tetradrachm of King Agathocles (c.185-180/70 BCE) with just such a portrait.

Agathocles Tetradrachm

Perhaps topping the list of unusual head adornments in Bactria is the elephant scalp. It is best known on the coins of King Demetrius I (c.200-185 BCE), which are readily available to collectors. The one illustrated here, a silver tetradrachm, shows a detailed image of the elephant scalp, with the ears, eyes, trunk and tusks all engraved in a realistic manner. Note the royal diadem that overlaps the bottom edge of the scalp.

Demetrius I Tetradrachm

Next is the petasus or causia, a distinctive Greek hat made of a soft material that was used primarily as a sun hat. Despite this rather humble, rural associations, it was worn by the messenger-god Hermes, and at different times was donned by Greek kings. Shown below is a tetradrachm of the Bactrian king Antimachus I (c.180-165 BCE), who portrayed himself wearing a petasus and his royal diadem.

Antimachus Tetradrachm

To read the complete article, see:
NGC Ancient Coins: Unusual Bactrian Portraits (http://www.coinweek.com/ancient-coins/ngc-ancients-unusual-bactrian-portraits/)

Wayne Homren, Editor

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