Roma Numismatics Ltd
Auction XXI 24-25 Mar 2021
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Greco-Baktrian Kingdom, Agathokles AR Tetradrachm. Circa 185-180 BC. Commemorative issue struck for Euthydemos I. Diademed head of Euthydemos I to right; ΕΥΘΥΔΗΜΟΥ before, ΘΕΟΥ behind / Herakles seated to left on rocky outcropping, holding club set on rock behind knee; ΒΑΣΙΛΕΥΟΝΤΟΣ ΑΓΑΘΟΚΛΕΟΥΣ ΔΙΚΑΙΟΥ around, monogram in inner right field. Bopearachchi 16B; SNG ANS 261; Mitchiner 145a; HGC 12, 87. 16.45g, 32mm, 12h.
Good Extremely Fine. Very Rare.
Ex Menlo Park Collection;
Ex Classical Numismatic Group, Triton III, 30 November 1999, lot 694.
This coin is part of an interesting issue of a so-called 'pedigree' series by the Greco-Baktrian king Agathokles Dikaios ('the Just'), made up of coins combining depictions of gods and legends referring to Agathokles on their reverses with obverse portraits commemorating Alexander the Great, Antiochos III and the Greco-Baktrian kings Diodotos I (founder of the kingdom), Diodotos II, Euthydemos I, Demetrius I and Pantaleon, forming a line of kings leading to Agathokles.
The meaning of this series is disputed in the face of little historical evidence regarding Agathokles. Cultivating an association with Alexander was a commonplace for Hellenistic kings (whether they were descendants of his relatives or generals, or whether they were made to be connected by concocted myths and histories), who took their legitimacy to rule as derived from Alexander. The commemoration of Antiochos III meanwhile is most likely to do with his recognition of Euthydemos I and Demetrius I as rightful kings of Greco-Baktria. Aside from Alexander and Antiochos III, the succession of Greko-Baktrian kings employed in the series has caused some debate. It is possible that Agathokles was the son of Demetrios I and therefore grandson of Euthydemos I (who is commemorated on the present coin), and if so this series would proclaim his illustrious lineage and rightful succession as the latest member of the dynasty and line of the Greco-Baktrian kings. However, the fact is that this series provides no smooth ancestral line: Euthydemos I and Demetrios I were not related to the earlier kings Diodotos I and II, who also show up in the series, but rather Euthydemus I overthrew Diodotos II to become king, and indeed Agathokles may not actually have been related to the former in the first place. Thus it has been argued that Agathokles (and his immediate predecessor or contemporary Pantaelon, also recognised in this series, who appears to be related to Agathokles by virtue of their similar coinage) were either usurpers or members of a lesser branch of the royal family who had asserted control. The emphasis of the 'pedigree' series then would not be on Agathokles' legitimate succession to the kingdom inherited from his father, but simply rather on his firm placement in this line of kings (whom he is on 'good terms' with, aiming to quell any sense that this was not a legitimate passing on of power), a king like them and legitimate by a more vague association with them and their merits, by some connection with Alexander and lastly as a ruler of a Greco-Baktrian kingdom rightfully independent from its neighbours, as recognised years before by Antiochos III.
Good Extremely Fine. Very Rare.
Ex Menlo Park Collection;
Ex Classical Numismatic Group, Triton III, 30 November 1999, lot 694.
This coin is part of an interesting issue of a so-called 'pedigree' series by the Greco-Baktrian king Agathokles Dikaios ('the Just'), made up of coins combining depictions of gods and legends referring to Agathokles on their reverses with obverse portraits commemorating Alexander the Great, Antiochos III and the Greco-Baktrian kings Diodotos I (founder of the kingdom), Diodotos II, Euthydemos I, Demetrius I and Pantaleon, forming a line of kings leading to Agathokles.
The meaning of this series is disputed in the face of little historical evidence regarding Agathokles. Cultivating an association with Alexander was a commonplace for Hellenistic kings (whether they were descendants of his relatives or generals, or whether they were made to be connected by concocted myths and histories), who took their legitimacy to rule as derived from Alexander. The commemoration of Antiochos III meanwhile is most likely to do with his recognition of Euthydemos I and Demetrius I as rightful kings of Greco-Baktria. Aside from Alexander and Antiochos III, the succession of Greko-Baktrian kings employed in the series has caused some debate. It is possible that Agathokles was the son of Demetrios I and therefore grandson of Euthydemos I (who is commemorated on the present coin), and if so this series would proclaim his illustrious lineage and rightful succession as the latest member of the dynasty and line of the Greco-Baktrian kings. However, the fact is that this series provides no smooth ancestral line: Euthydemos I and Demetrios I were not related to the earlier kings Diodotos I and II, who also show up in the series, but rather Euthydemus I overthrew Diodotos II to become king, and indeed Agathokles may not actually have been related to the former in the first place. Thus it has been argued that Agathokles (and his immediate predecessor or contemporary Pantaelon, also recognised in this series, who appears to be related to Agathokles by virtue of their similar coinage) were either usurpers or members of a lesser branch of the royal family who had asserted control. The emphasis of the 'pedigree' series then would not be on Agathokles' legitimate succession to the kingdom inherited from his father, but simply rather on his firm placement in this line of kings (whom he is on 'good terms' with, aiming to quell any sense that this was not a legitimate passing on of power), a king like them and legitimate by a more vague association with them and their merits, by some connection with Alexander and lastly as a ruler of a Greco-Baktrian kingdom rightfully independent from its neighbours, as recognised years before by Antiochos III.