Roma Numismatics Ltd
Auction XXV 22-23 Sep 2022
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Greco-Baktrian Kingdom, Agathokles Dikaios AR Tetradrachm. Commemorative issue struck for Diodotos I. Circa 185-175 BC. Diademed head of Diodotos to right, ΔIOΔOTOY to right, ΣΩTHPOΣ to left / Zeus Bremetes advancing to left, extended left arm draped with aegis, preparing to hurl thunderbolt in right hand; BAΣIΛEYONTOΣ to right, ΑΓΑΘΟΚΛΕΟΥΣ to left, ΔΙΚΑΙΟΥ in exergue; in left field, wreath above eagle standing to left, wings outstretched; monogram in right field. Glenn, Diodotus Soter Commemorative Group I, (O27bis/R-); Bopearachchi 14a; Mitchiner 144a; SNG ANS 259; HGC 12, 85. 15.94g, 31mm, 12h.
Near Mint State. Very Rare.
Acquired from Gorny & Mosch Giessener Münzhandlung;
Ex KG Collection, Rhineland, acquired in the 1960's to 2003.
This coin is part of an interesting issue of a so-called 'pedigree' series by the Greco-Baktrian king Agathokles Dikaios ('the Just'), containing coins which combine depictions of gods and the legend '[minted] in the reign of Agathokles Dikaios' on their reverses with obverse portraits commemorating assumed royal predecessors: starting with Alexander the Great and followed by the Greco-Baktrian kings Diodotos I (founder of the kingdom), Diodotos II, Euthydemos I, Demetrius I and Pantaleon. The series also includes a ruler named Antiochos Nikator (see lot 558), who has traditionally been interpreted as the Seleukid king Antiochos II (despite his title being 'Theos' not 'Nikator'), during whose reign Diodotos I began the secession of the Baktrian kingdom (see F. L. Holt, Thundering Zeus: The Making of Hellenistic Bactria (Berkeley, 1999), p. 97, note 21 and B. Kritt, New Discoveries in Bactrian Numismatics (Lancaster 2015), chapter 5). More recently, the theory of a previously unknown Baktrian ruler called Antiochos Nikator has gained traction (see J. Jakobsson, 'Antiochus Nicator, the Third King of Bactria?', The Numismatic Chronicle, vol. 170 (2010), pp. 17-33 and J. Jakobsson "Dating Bactria's Independence to 246/5 BC?" in R. Mairs, (ed.), The Graeco-Bactrian and Indo-Greek world (Abingdon, 2021). pp. 499-509) but unfortunately the mystery of Antiochos' identity remains unsolved.
Since the theory that Agathokles struck these 'pedigree' coins to trace his lineage has been disproven, 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 the exceptional similarity of their 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' succession to the kingdom inherited from his father, but rather on his firm placement in this line of kings, aiming to quell any sense that this was not a legitimate passage of power. He therefore strengthened his claim through his association with the rule and merits of his predecessors, by connection with Alexander 'the Great' and lastly as a ruler of a proud and well-established Greco-Baktrian kingdom.
Near Mint State. Very Rare.
Acquired from Gorny & Mosch Giessener Münzhandlung;
Ex KG Collection, Rhineland, acquired in the 1960's to 2003.
This coin is part of an interesting issue of a so-called 'pedigree' series by the Greco-Baktrian king Agathokles Dikaios ('the Just'), containing coins which combine depictions of gods and the legend '[minted] in the reign of Agathokles Dikaios' on their reverses with obverse portraits commemorating assumed royal predecessors: starting with Alexander the Great and followed by the Greco-Baktrian kings Diodotos I (founder of the kingdom), Diodotos II, Euthydemos I, Demetrius I and Pantaleon. The series also includes a ruler named Antiochos Nikator (see lot 558), who has traditionally been interpreted as the Seleukid king Antiochos II (despite his title being 'Theos' not 'Nikator'), during whose reign Diodotos I began the secession of the Baktrian kingdom (see F. L. Holt, Thundering Zeus: The Making of Hellenistic Bactria (Berkeley, 1999), p. 97, note 21 and B. Kritt, New Discoveries in Bactrian Numismatics (Lancaster 2015), chapter 5). More recently, the theory of a previously unknown Baktrian ruler called Antiochos Nikator has gained traction (see J. Jakobsson, 'Antiochus Nicator, the Third King of Bactria?', The Numismatic Chronicle, vol. 170 (2010), pp. 17-33 and J. Jakobsson "Dating Bactria's Independence to 246/5 BC?" in R. Mairs, (ed.), The Graeco-Bactrian and Indo-Greek world (Abingdon, 2021). pp. 499-509) but unfortunately the mystery of Antiochos' identity remains unsolved.
Since the theory that Agathokles struck these 'pedigree' coins to trace his lineage has been disproven, 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 the exceptional similarity of their 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' succession to the kingdom inherited from his father, but rather on his firm placement in this line of kings, aiming to quell any sense that this was not a legitimate passage of power. He therefore strengthened his claim through his association with the rule and merits of his predecessors, by connection with Alexander 'the Great' and lastly as a ruler of a proud and well-established Greco-Baktrian kingdom.