PHRYGIA. Cibyra. Hadrian, 117-138. AE (Bronze, 15 mm, 2.27 g, 5 h). ΑΔΡΙΑΝΟϹ ΚΑΙϹΑΡ Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Hadrian to left, seen from behind. Rev. KIB•INΔ The river-god Indus reclining left, holding reed in his right hand and leaning left on urn from which water flows. RPC III 2300A (this coin). Apparently unique and of great interest. Some deposits, otherwise, very fine.


It is somewhat surprising to find a river in Asia Minor named the Indus, but Pliny is clear in reporting that 'The river Indus, which rises in the mountains of the Cibyratæ, receives sixty-five rivers which are constantly flowing, besides upwards of 100 mountain torrents.' (Plin. Nat. 5.28). The explanation for this unusual name is given by Livy, who informs us that the river received its name after an elephant threw his guide (a mahout) into the water (Livy 38.14). This must have happened in the Hellenstic period, when several royal armies containing Indian war elephants crossed the area. To our knowledge, this is the sole surviving coin from Cibyra to record the unusual local river name