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Æ Hemidrachm - Menander I
| Issuer | Indo-Greek Kingdom (India (ancient)) |
|---|---|
| Year | 155 BC - 130 BC |
| Type | Log in to see details |
| Value | Hemidrachm (1/2) |
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| Composition | Log in to see details |
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| Diameter | Log in to see details |
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| Obverse description | Log in to see details |
|---|---|
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| Reverse description | Log in to see details |
| Reverse script | Kharoshthi |
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| Edge | Plain |
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| Additional information |
Menander I — known in Buddhist tradition as Milinda — is one of the few Greek kings whose reign left a mark on South Asian religious literature. The Milindapañha, a Pali text recording dialogues between Menander and the monk Nagasena, suggests his rule extended deep into the Indian subcontinent and that he may have converted to Buddhism. His kingdom, centered in the Punjab, was among the most expansive of any Indo-Greek ruler, possibly reaching as far east as Pataliputra.
The copper denominations of his coinage circulated heavily in local markets where the silver issues were too valuable for everyday exchange — wear patterns on surviving specimens reflect genuine commercial use.