Artwork Page for Coin of Demetrios, I (obverse)

Details / Information for Coin of Demetrios, I (obverse)

Coin of Demetrios, I (obverse)

200–190 BCE

Afghanistan, Greco-Bactria, Demetrios I

(c. 200–180 BCE)
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Medium
silver
Measurements
Diameter: 3.3 cm (1 5/16 in.)
Credit Line
John L. Severance Fund 1999.318.a
Public Domain
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Location
Not on view
Print

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.
A circular silver coin depicts the profile of Demetrios I facing our right. He wears an elephant's scalp as a headdress, featuring a forward-pointing tusk and a trunk curving into an S-shape atop his head. Short curls show beneath the scalp, and a hooked staff stands behind his neck. The coin has a slightly irregular edge with dark tarnishing in the recessed areas of the raised design.

Coin of Demetrios, I (obverse)

200–190 BCE

Afghanistan, Greco-Bactria, Demetrios I (c. 200–180 BCE)

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