Roma Numismatics Ltd
Auction X 27 September 2015
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Greco-Baktrian Kingdom, Eukratides I 'the Great' AR Tetradrachm. Circa 171-145 BC. Diademed and draped bust right, wearing helmet adorned with bull's horn and ear / ΒAΣΙΛEΩΣ MEΓAΛOY EYKPATIΔOY, the Dioskouroi on horseback to right, holding palms and lances; monogram to lower left. Mitchiner 177aa; cf. Bopearachchi 6I (curved legend); Bopearachchi & Rahman 239; SNG ANS -. 15.67g, 34mm, 11h.
Fleur De Coin. Extremely Rare.
From the Ambrose Collection;
Ex Roma Numismatics II, 2 October 2011, lot 373.
Only two examples of this extremely rare variety with a horizontal legend have been seen on the market in the last decade, and the present specimen is remarkably preserved, whereas the other was in relatively poor condition. The type is known from perhaps as few as half a dozen examples, if that. Struck from dies of a fine and elegant style on a remarkably large flan, this coin has a truly medallic appearance, and is preserved in excellent condition. This is one of the great rarities of Eukratides' coinage.
Eukratides The Great was one of the last but most important Greco-Baktrian kings, responsible for the overthrow of the Euthydemid dynasty and for waging numerous campaigns against the Indo-Greek kings, temporarily holding territory as far east as the Indus. By the range, quantity and quality of his coinage, which included the above mentioned medallion, we can surmise that his was a reign of considerable significance and prestige.
Eukratides was murdered on his way home from India, apparently by his son, who hated his father so much that he 'ran with his chariot over the blood of his father, and ordered the corpse to be left without a sepulture' (Justin XLI,6). The subsequent civil war between rival members of the dynasty, combined with external pressures from the Indo-Greeks, Sogdians and Parthians led to the ultimate collapse of the Greko-Baktrian Kingdom a mere fifteen years later, when it was conquered by the Parthians under Mithradates.
Fleur De Coin. Extremely Rare.
From the Ambrose Collection;
Ex Roma Numismatics II, 2 October 2011, lot 373.
Only two examples of this extremely rare variety with a horizontal legend have been seen on the market in the last decade, and the present specimen is remarkably preserved, whereas the other was in relatively poor condition. The type is known from perhaps as few as half a dozen examples, if that. Struck from dies of a fine and elegant style on a remarkably large flan, this coin has a truly medallic appearance, and is preserved in excellent condition. This is one of the great rarities of Eukratides' coinage.
Eukratides The Great was one of the last but most important Greco-Baktrian kings, responsible for the overthrow of the Euthydemid dynasty and for waging numerous campaigns against the Indo-Greek kings, temporarily holding territory as far east as the Indus. By the range, quantity and quality of his coinage, which included the above mentioned medallion, we can surmise that his was a reign of considerable significance and prestige.
Eukratides was murdered on his way home from India, apparently by his son, who hated his father so much that he 'ran with his chariot over the blood of his father, and ordered the corpse to be left without a sepulture' (Justin XLI,6). The subsequent civil war between rival members of the dynasty, combined with external pressures from the Indo-Greeks, Sogdians and Parthians led to the ultimate collapse of the Greko-Baktrian Kingdom a mere fifteen years later, when it was conquered by the Parthians under Mithradates.