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Auction: 24122 - Spink Numismatic e-Circular 35: Indian and Islamic Coins - e-Auction
Lot: 487

Indo-Scythian, Azilises (c.85-35 BC), Tetradrachm, 8.61g, BAIE BAIEN HEAOY AZIIOY, king riding right on horseback, holding whip, monogram in right field, rev. Kharoshthi legend Maha rajasa rajatirajasa mahatasa Ayilishasa, Lakshmi standing facing on open lotus, flanked by long-stemmed lotus flowers each bearing an elephant spraying water from its trunk, Kharoshthi letters ya in left field, a in right (Senior 33.1T; HGC 12, 563), attractively toned very fine / about very fine, very rare and desirable with unique reverse

Provenance

With Collector's ticket



Most contemporaneous Indo-Scythian coins feature deities from the Greek pantheon on their reverse. This type is one of the few demonstrating a degree of syncretism with the emerging Hindu religion. The female deity, presumed to be Laksmi, was associated with lotus blooms. Her abhisheka (CONSECRATION BY SPRINKLING OF WATER) BY ELEPHANTS WAS COMMONLY USED IN LATER TIMES AS A SYMBOL OF PROSPERITY AND GOOD FORTUNE, OFTEN TERMED GAJALAKSHMI.



It is interesting to note that the oldest known depictions of Laksmi in this form appear in the second century AD in Buddhist cave temples and the stupa at Sanchi. As this coin was issued almost two centuries before this time, it is evidence that this icon was being employed earlier than previously thought, although perhaps not in the same religious context.


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Estimate

Starting price
£4000