Classical Numismatic Group, LLC
Auction 117 19-20 May 2021
View prices realized
► Sale information
Find similar lots
BAKTRIA, Indo-Greek Kingdom. Strato I Soter. Circa 105-85/0 BC. AR Tetradrachm (27.5mm, 9.31 g, 12h). Diademed and draped beardless bust right; one diadem tie angled / Athena Alkidemos standing left, brandishing thunderbolt and aegis; monogram to inner left. Bopearachchi 21A; Haughton, Silver 2; HGC 12, 328. Toned, minor surface marks and areas of roughness. Near EF. Struck on a broad flan.
Like most Indo-Greek rulers, Strato I Soter Dikaios ("savior" and "the just") is unknown to history apart from his coins, which suggest his rule encompassed Gandhara and the Punjab. His earliest coins show a youthful bust cojoined with that of a woman named Agathokleia, possibly his mother, who may have ruled as regent during his minority (see previous lot). His solo portraits show a somewhat older visage, eventually acquiring a beard (although a new theory posits that the bearded portrait depicts a different king of the same name, possibly Agathokleia's brother). Athena appears in several poses on the reverses of his coins, here in the traditional stance of Athena Alkidemos, preparing to hurl a thunderbolt.
Like most Indo-Greek rulers, Strato I Soter Dikaios ("savior" and "the just") is unknown to history apart from his coins, which suggest his rule encompassed Gandhara and the Punjab. His earliest coins show a youthful bust cojoined with that of a woman named Agathokleia, possibly his mother, who may have ruled as regent during his minority (see previous lot). His solo portraits show a somewhat older visage, eventually acquiring a beard (although a new theory posits that the bearded portrait depicts a different king of the same name, possibly Agathokleia's brother). Athena appears in several poses on the reverses of his coins, here in the traditional stance of Athena Alkidemos, preparing to hurl a thunderbolt.