Watch List notes:

BAKTRIA, Indo-Greek Kingdom. Agathokleia & Strato I, circa 105-85/0 BC. AE (Bronze, 18x22 mm, 8.24 g, 12 h), Indian standard. BAΣIΛIΣΣHΣ ΘEOTPOΠOY AΓAΘOKΛEIAΣ Draped bust of Athena to right, wearing crested Boiotian helmet. Rev. 'Maharajasa tratarasa Dhramikasa Stratasa' ('Of the Great King Strato the Just Saviour in Kharoshti) Herakles seated left on rock, holding club in his right hand; to left, monogram. Bopearachchi 3A. HGC 12, 317. Rare. Minor scratches on the obverse, otherwise, very fine.


The joint rule of Agathokleia and Strato is rather unusual in that there is an interesting development in the titles. In the beginning, Agathokleia appears to be the predominant figure: her title 'queen and nurse of the gods' appears in Greek, while Strato is referred to only in the local Karoshti script on the reverse of the coins. However, the relationship must have changed over time, as on the dual portrait tetradrachms, Strato's bust is in the forefront while Agathokleia has lost her title 'queen and nurse of the gods'. Unfortunately, the only evidence we have for the rule of Agathokleia and Strato comes from the coins, so their relationship - were they mother and son, or married? - and its development remain unclear to us.