1834.] Discovered at Beghram in Kabul. 1C7 



coincidences of the lion, the clumsy form of the coins, and the peculiarity to he 

 observed in the sunken character ofthe obverses. The monogramical characters, it 

 is feared, are too obscure to allow much to be gained from them. 



Series 4. — Nyscean Princes, Herm^eus I. 

 Fig. 20, Obverse. Bust with wreath around the head ; hair dressed in curls, with 



fillets hanging down behind. Legend Greek, nearly obliterated. 

 Reverse. Figure of male deity, probably Hercules, sitting on a throne, 



right hand extended and holding a wreath. Legend Pehlevi. 



Monogram {£*. 

 This is one from twenty-eight copper coins in my possession ; it is represented 

 here from the fine preservation of the bust, which enables us to become admirably 

 acquainted with the features of the prince. 

 Fig. 21, Obverse. Same as preceding. Greek legend BA2lAEn5 SnTHPDS 



EPMAIOT. 

 Reverse. As preceding. 

 This is one of six copper coins of the same size, on which the whole of the 

 legends are clear and distinct. On the larger coins they are always imperfect, from 

 the dies having been too large for them. By a comparison of these also, no doubt 

 remains as to the intended legend. The coins of this prince are remarkable for 

 the fair execution of the bust ; the Greek characters are pure, but vary in regularity 

 of form on many specimens, as they may have been struck at various periods, and 

 by different dies. The position of Hercuj.es on the reverse reminds us of the coins 

 of Euthydemus. From every circumstance connected with these coins, we must 

 place Herm.eus very nigh the Bactrian epoch. In setting him at the head of the 

 Nysaean princes, I must confess I have only negative grounds, and incidental con- 

 jectures. We cannot identify him with the Bactrian series ; his name forbids it. 

 That he was a prince of power and talent, his coins attest, and his portrait so hap- 

 pily preserved on them, convinces us. That he governed at Nysa is proved by 

 his medals being found there ; I therefore, in absence of more direct evidence, con- 

 sider him a prince of Nysa, perhaps the founder of the dynasty there. All his coins 

 agree in the same cast of features, those of a prince of fifty to sixty years of age. 

 On a comparison of the Nyssean coins, we may suppose him the father of the 

 youthful Herm^eus, whom I call the 2nd ; and that his epoch was anterior to'HER- 

 m^eus, whom I call the 3rd, is evident from the decline in the execution ofthe coins 

 of the last, and from the corruption of the Greek characters on their legends. The 

 adoption of the same name by these three princes seems to prove a connection of 

 descent and lineage, so does the figure Hercules on the coins of Herm^eus the 

 3rd. That this prince ruled at Nysa, we have the best evidence, because we have 

 his sepulchral monument there. 



Herm^eus II. 

 Fig. 22, Obverse. Bust with diadem, fillets depending behind. Greek legend, 



illegible. 

 Reverse. Female deity ( ?) — legend Pehlevi — monogram ambiguous. 

 Fig. 23, Obve>se. Bust as preceding. Greek legend, portion legible, D2. 5V 



epmaidt. 



Reverse. As preceding. Monogram J§J. 



These are two from ten copper coins of the same size and type in my possession 

 the legend on the obverse, had the size of the coins allowed its full exhibition 

 would obviously have been BASIAEnS SHTHPnS 2V EPMAIOY. 



These coins are well executed, the figures in good relief, and the artist has 

 done justice to the features of the youthful king ; there are some points of coin- 



