Indo-Scythian Vonones & Spalahores AE square unit, Kandahar, c.100–75 BC

Vonones & Spalahores, square unit, bronze, struck at Kandahar, c. 100–75 BC; 8.71 g; 24 mm.

Obverse: Greek legend ΣΠΑΛΥΡΙΟΥ ΔΙΚΑΙΟΥ ΑΔΕΛΦΟΥ ΤΟΥ ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ; Herakles seated left on rock, holding club; monogram in field; within a rectangular frame. Reverse: Kharosthi legend SPALAHORAPUTRASA DHRAMIASA SPALAGDAMASA; king on horseback right within beaded border. Struck on a square flan typical of the series, with moderate circulation wear and areas of surface encrustation; centering adequate for both legends. References: Mitchiner 2167; Göbl, AN 2264.

Historical significance: This bilingual bronze belongs to the early Indo‑Scythian administration in Arachosia after the decline of Indo‑Greek power. The Greek text names Spalahores (Spalyris) as “the Just, brother of the king,” linking the issue to the Saka overlord Vonones, while the Kharosthi names Spalagdamas as “the Just, son of Spalahora,” preserving dynastic relationships. The pairing of Herakles with a mounted ruler and the use of Greek and Kharosthi inscriptions document the coexistence of Hellenistic imagery with Saka royal ideology and the dual‑language environment at Kandahar, making such coins key evidence for Indo‑Scythian chronology and governance.