Hermaios Soter & Kalliope AR Tetradrachm, Paropamisadai/Gandhara, 105 BC

Hermaios Soter and Kalliope, Tetradrachm, silver, reign c. 120–90 BC, struck 105 BC, Paropamisadai or Gandhara mint; 9.34 g; 27 mm. Obv: BAΣIΛEΩΣ ΣΩΤΗΡΟΣ ΕΡΜΑΙΟΥ ΚΑΙ ΚΑΛΛΙΟΠΗΣ; conjoined busts right, Hermaios diademed and draped, Kalliope draped and wearing stephane. Rev: Karosthi legend MAHARAJASA TRATARASA HIRAMAYASA KALIYAPAYA; Hermaios on horse rearing right; bow in bowcase and spear attached to saddle; monogram in right field. Bilingual strike on broad flan; die axis 12h. Ref: Bopearachchi 2B; HGC 12, 288; Senior, Hermaios H1bD; SNG ANS 1319–25. Historical significance: Issued in the Paropamisadai at the end of Greco‑Bactrian power, this bilingual tetradrachm records the joint presentation of Hermaios and Kalliope for both Greek and Indian audiences, using Greek on the obverse and Kharosthi on the reverse. The horseman type and fabric were adopted and continued by Indo‑Scythian and Kushan authorities, illustrating the monetary transition from Hellenistic to Central Asian traditions during the period of Yuezhi and Saka expansions.