TYPE Indo-Parthian Kingdom, Abdagases (ca. 55-65 AD), Indian standard billon tetradrachm, 9.82g
DESCRIPTION .
Obv: King on horseback r., hand raised, monogram ("Gondophares tamgha") right, Greek legend around VASILEYONTOS VASILEON / ABDAGASOU (mostly present, name clear)
Rev: Zeus standing r., with outstretched right arm and scepter in left, Kharosthi legend "Gudupharabhrataputrasa maharajasa / Avadagashasa"
REFERENCE: Mit 8.1120, Bop 209 (Malakand h.)
GRADING: AVF / F, porous toned billon, scarce
ORDER INFO: G3143, $95
Historical evidence regarding Indo-Parthian (as well as Indo-Scythian or even Indo-Greek, for that matter) rulers is limited. While there is still not even full agreement on the sequence of their reigns, numismatic data would suggest that Abdagases was a nephew or satrap of Gondophares that succeded him in some domains. Despite this apparent obscurity, Indo-Parthian ties with the "Western" world are evidenced from facts ranging from the use of both Greek language and deities on coinage, to the apostolic journey of St. Thomas to the court of Abdagases' predecessor Gondophares. The story of the latter mission of St. Thomas the Apostle following Christ's Crucifixion is historically quite interesting - stretching from the writings of Origen and Eusebius, through layers of oral tradition, to the reality of a still vibrant surviving Indian Orthodox Church.