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CSNS Signature Sale 3099 5-7 May 2022
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Ancients
BACTRIA. Early Hellenistic Era. Sophytes (ca. mid-3rd century BC). AR drachm (15mm, 3.38 gm, 7h). NGC AU 5/5 - 3/5. Male head right, wearing crested Attic helmet decorated with laurel wreath and wing on cheek piece; M on truncation of neck / ΣΩΦΥΤΟΥ, cock standing right; caduceus to left. HGC 10, 14. SNG ANS 21-24. Struck in high relief and pleasingly toned.
The reputation of Bactria as an "empire of mystery" begins with its earliest coinage bearing a name, in this case an individual named Sophytes, perhaps the helmeted man shown on the obverse, about whom nothing is known. The coins bear no royal title so has been suggested Sophytes was an early satrap of Bactria who ruled the region under Seleucus I as there is some stylistic similarity to local bronzes issued in the name of Seleucus.
https://coins.ha.com/itm/ancients/greek/ancients-bactria-early-hellenistic-era-sophytes-ca-mid-3rd-century-bc-ar-drachm-15mm-338-gm-7h-ngc-au-5-5/a/3099-31262.s?type=DA-DMC-CoinArchives-WorldCoins-3099-05052022
HID02906262019
© 2022 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved
BACTRIA. Early Hellenistic Era. Sophytes (ca. mid-3rd century BC). AR drachm (15mm, 3.38 gm, 7h). NGC AU 5/5 - 3/5. Male head right, wearing crested Attic helmet decorated with laurel wreath and wing on cheek piece; M on truncation of neck / ΣΩΦΥΤΟΥ, cock standing right; caduceus to left. HGC 10, 14. SNG ANS 21-24. Struck in high relief and pleasingly toned.
The reputation of Bactria as an "empire of mystery" begins with its earliest coinage bearing a name, in this case an individual named Sophytes, perhaps the helmeted man shown on the obverse, about whom nothing is known. The coins bear no royal title so has been suggested Sophytes was an early satrap of Bactria who ruled the region under Seleucus I as there is some stylistic similarity to local bronzes issued in the name of Seleucus.
https://coins.ha.com/itm/ancients/greek/ancients-bactria-early-hellenistic-era-sophytes-ca-mid-3rd-century-bc-ar-drachm-15mm-338-gm-7h-ngc-au-5-5/a/3099-31262.s?type=DA-DMC-CoinArchives-WorldCoins-3099-05052022
HID02906262019
© 2022 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved