Classical Numismatic Group, LLC
Triton XXV 11-12 Jan 2022
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BAKTRIA, Greco-Baktrian Kingdom. Eukratides II Soter. Circa 145-140 BC. AR Tetradrachm (31mm, 16.75 g, 12h). Diademed and draped bust right within bead-and-reel border / BAΣIΛEYΩΣ to right, EYKPATIΔOY to left, Apollo, holding arrow, standing left and leaning on bow set on ground; monogram to inner left. Bopearachchi 1D; Bopearachchi & Rahman 286-7; SNG ANS –; MIG Type 164b; HGC 12, 161. In NGC encapsulation 4278010-002, Ch XF★, Strike: 5/5, Surface: 4/5.
From the Melinda Collection.
Eukratides I Megas appears to have had three sons: Eukratides II, Plato, and Heliokles II, one or more of whom might have ruled jointly with him. However, the historian Justin claims one of these royal sons not only rose up and slew his father, but desecrated his corpse by riding over it repeatedly with a chariot. Which son proved a parricide is unknown, but most historians seem to finger his namesake Eukratides II for the deed. His silver coins, all struck on the Attic standards, depict him as a somewhat fleshier version of his father, leading early students of Baktrian coinage to conclude they were struck by the same ruler. The reverse, showing a standing figure of Apollo holding a bow and arrow, is quite distinctive and evokes coins of the faraway Seleukid kingdom. At some point he adopted the title Soter (Savior), perhaps to credit himself with saving the kingdom from the "tyranny" of his father.
From the Melinda Collection.
Eukratides I Megas appears to have had three sons: Eukratides II, Plato, and Heliokles II, one or more of whom might have ruled jointly with him. However, the historian Justin claims one of these royal sons not only rose up and slew his father, but desecrated his corpse by riding over it repeatedly with a chariot. Which son proved a parricide is unknown, but most historians seem to finger his namesake Eukratides II for the deed. His silver coins, all struck on the Attic standards, depict him as a somewhat fleshier version of his father, leading early students of Baktrian coinage to conclude they were struck by the same ruler. The reverse, showing a standing figure of Apollo holding a bow and arrow, is quite distinctive and evokes coins of the faraway Seleukid kingdom. At some point he adopted the title Soter (Savior), perhaps to credit himself with saving the kingdom from the "tyranny" of his father.