Ira and Larry Goldberg Auctioneers
Auction 96 14-15 February 2017
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Baktrian Kingdom. Euthydemos II. CuNi Double Unit (8.41 g), ca. 185-180 BC. Laureate head of Apollo right. Reverse: BAΣIΛEΩΣ EYΘYΔHMOY, tripod; in inner left field, monogram. Cf. Bopearachchi 6C (control); cf. SNG ANS 225 (same). Very Rare this well preserved. Boldly struck and well centered. Lightly toning which deepens within the recesses. Extremely Fine. Estimate Value $1,000 - UP
The Hanbery Collection; Purchased from Frank Kovacs 1980s.
Little is known about the reign of Euthydemos II in Baktria, whose youthful coin portraits have led to the conclusion that he was probably a son and subordinate king to the conqueror of northern India, Demetrios I. Euthydemos and his apparent associate, Agathokles, are notable for their production of coins like this, which are made from a cupro-nickel alloy. In this they were far ahead of their time. The first cupro-nickel coins were not produced in Europe until the late nineteenth century AD. The alloy became a staple of modern coinage, often replacing silver in the mid-twentieth century, and remains an important alloy for coinage to this day although it is now beginning to lose ground to cheaper nickel-plated steel.
The Hanbery Collection; Purchased from Frank Kovacs 1980s.
Little is known about the reign of Euthydemos II in Baktria, whose youthful coin portraits have led to the conclusion that he was probably a son and subordinate king to the conqueror of northern India, Demetrios I. Euthydemos and his apparent associate, Agathokles, are notable for their production of coins like this, which are made from a cupro-nickel alloy. In this they were far ahead of their time. The first cupro-nickel coins were not produced in Europe until the late nineteenth century AD. The alloy became a staple of modern coinage, often replacing silver in the mid-twentieth century, and remains an important alloy for coinage to this day although it is now beginning to lose ground to cheaper nickel-plated steel.