Afghanistan is located over the ancient Hellenistic Greek kingdom of Bactria. The museums in Afghanistan were once filled with priceless treasures of Bactrian origin. The Bactrians made particularly beautiful ancient coins. The Taliban didn't give a rats ass about these antiquities because they were non-Islamic (an all to common attitude in the Islamic world). The museums were looted by the Taliban and these fabulous coins ended up in private collections. I acquired a bronze Bactrian coin struck under King Menander. Menander was descended from one of Alexander the Great's soldiers. He also had the distinction of being the first Bactrian king to convert to Buddism (the Indians called King Menander, "Melinda").

The Selucid Kingdom stretched out over modern day Iraq. The Selucids (called the "Syrian Greeks" in the Old Testament) also struck very beautiful coins in the early part of their history (up to and including King Antiochus III). Unfortunately the nicer varieties of these coins tend to be a bit pricey (I've never been able to afford them). I'm looking forward to the coin market being flooded with cheap Selucid coins.

Gary