Lot 20

Ancient, Indo Scythians, Azilises, (57th–35th BC), Indra type, Bronze Unit, 2.89 gms, 15.89 mm, Obv: Lord Indra seated upon Airavata, the multi headed and multi tusked celestial elephant (vahana of Lord Indra), Greek legends around partially reading 'ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΒΑCΙΛΕΩN ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥ AZIΛIΣOY ', Rev: Turreted City Goddess standing to left, holding a lotus/lamp in her outstretched right hand and grasping the stem of a tall plant with her left arm, Kharosthi legend around partially reading 'Maharajasa Rajadirajasa Mahatasa Ayilishasa', Originally attributed by R.C. Senior as depicting Lakshmi, recent research now identifies the obverse deity convincingly as Lord Indra (God of weather, thunder, storm & War). This important re attribution expands the known Hindu iconography on Indo Scythian coinage—previously represented primarily by Lakshmi and Balarama and establishes this type as the only instance portraying Indra, making it a significant and exceedingly rare type within the series, Senior # 40.1, Hoover # 583, fine to very fine, extremely rare.