Second Known Tetradrachm of Machene

Triton XIV, Lot: 442. Estimate $20000. Sold for $130000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

INDO-SKYTHIANS. Maues, with Machene. Circa 125-85 BC. AR Tetradrachm (27mm, 8.91 g, 12h). BACIΛICCHC ΘEOTPOΠOY MAXHNHC, Tyche, wearing mural crown, enthroned right, feet on footstool, holding torque in extending right hand and long scepter in left / “Rajatirajasa mahatasa Moasa” in Kharosthi, Zeus standing left, holding Nike, who holds wreath and palm, in extended right hand and cradling scepter in left arm; monogram to inner left. Senior 4.1T = BN 1 = MIG Type 736a = G. Le Rider, “Monnaies de Taxila et d’Arachosie: une nouvelle reine de Taxila,” Revue des étude grecques 80 (1967), 3 (same dies); R. Senior, “Indo-Scythian Dynasty,” Encyclopædica Iranica (http://www.iranica.com/articles/indo-scythian-dynasty-1), pl. I, no. 5 (this coin). Good VF, find patina, a few light cleaning marks. Extremely rare, only the second known, and the only one in private hands.

Otherwise unknown, apart from being mentioned on this issue, Machene was probably a member of the local ruling class. Her epithet, theotropos (“godlike”), was also used for Agathokleia, the mother of Strato.