Two Unique Azes Gold Quarter Staters

CNG 91, Lot: 445. Estimate $5000. Sold for $8500. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

INDO-SKYTHIANS. Azes. Circa 58-12 BC. AV Quarter Stater (15mm, 2.30 g, 12h). BAΣIΛEΩΣ BAΣIΛEΩN MEΓAΛOY AZOY, king on horseback right, holding whip in extended right hand and reins in left; monogram to inner right / “Maharajasa rajatirajasa mahatasa Ayasa” in Kharosthi, Zeus Nikephoros standing left, holding Nike in extended right hand and long scepter in left; monogram to inner left, “sam” in Kharosthi to inner right. Cf. Senior 105.251D and note; O. Bopearachchi, "Indo-Grecs, Indo-Scythes et Indo-Parthes," De l'Indus à l'Oxus: Archéologie de l'Asie centrale (2003), 125 = O. Bopearachchi, “Le dépôt de Mir Zakah,” Dossiers d’Archéologie 248 (November 1999), pp. 42-3 (this coin illustrated); cf. Miho 46d (for example of another quarter stater of Azes). Good VF, toned, a few field marks and minor deposits, struck with worn dies. Second example of an extremely rare denomination and unique with these controls.

Ex 1992 Mir Zakah Hoard.