Soter Megas

This extraordinary coin is a genuine ancient bronze tetradrachm minted in the first century A.D. during the reign of the Kushan dynasty king Vima Takto.  Note the remarkable state of preservation exhibited by the coin. Its design, featuring portraiture, high relief and superb craftsmanship was heavily influenced by classical Greek coins.   It was Vimas son, Kanishka, who gained notoriety for having conquered Afghanistan and northwest India near the end of the fist century A.D. For more than a millenium, the name of this king and his connection to the coins were lost to antiquity.  The cryptic inscription on his coins bore only the words Soter Megas (Great King).  In 1993, it was scholars chance discovery of ancient texts that finally ended the mystery: the Great King was in fact Vima Takto.

SIZE:  RANGE 20MM to 24MM

METAL: BRONZE   

REVERSE: KING ON HORSE   

OBVERSE: BUST OF KING W LANCE

TETRADRACHM ITEM # INKUSHSORMEG

KUSHAN KINGS SOTER MEGAS 55-105AD