Indo-Scythian Kingdom King Azes II c. 35 BCE – 12 BCE Silver 1 Drachm Historical Coin

Indo-Scythian Kingdom, Azes II, c. 35 BCE–12 BCE, Denomination: 1 Drachm, Metal: Silver, Weight: 2.22 grams, Diameter: 15 mm, References: MIG#856, Mitch AC#2432, Grade: Extremely Fine, Scarce.

Obverse: King mounted on horseback facing right, holding a whip, with Kharoshthi letter “bu” in the right field and Greek legend around.

Reverse: Zeus standing facing left, holding Nike aloft in his outstretched right hand, with Kharoshthi legend around.

Issued under King Azes II, this silver drachm represents the bilingual coinage of the Indo-Scythian Kingdom, which ruled large parts of northwestern India and present-day Pakistan during the late 1st century BCE. The obverse depicts the king as a mounted warrior, symbolizing military strength and royal authority, while the reverse features Zeus, the Greek king of gods, holding Nike, the goddess of victory, reflecting the strong Hellenistic influence on Indo-Scythian coinage. The bilingual Greek and Kharoshthi inscriptions demonstrate the cultural fusion between Greek and Indian traditions.

Coinage Note: The Azes II Silver Drachm is one of the most iconic Indo-Scythian issues, combining Greek artistic traditions with Indian inscriptions. Its horseman and Zeus-with-Nike design makes it a highly collectible coin among enthusiasts of Indo-Greek and Indo-Scythian numismatics.