Description
Demetrios I (222–180 BC) ruled the Indo-Greek kingdom of Bactria from 200 to 180 BC and minted this coin to commemorate his conquests over territories to the south, in present-day Pakistan. He linked his image on his coin to Alexander of Macedon (356–323 BC), who depicted himself with a lion scalp after his conquest of India; Demetrios substituted an elephant for the lion. On the reverse is Hercules, also identified with Alexander.
Provenance
(Spink & Son, Ltd., London, England, sold to the Cleveland Museum of Art) (?–1999); The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (1999–)
Accession Number
1999.318
Medium
silver
Dimensions
Diameter: 3.3 cm (1 5/16 in.)
Classification
Coins
Credit Line
John L. Severance Fund