Roma Numismatics Ltd
E-Sale 103 24 Nov 2022
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Greco-Baktrian Kingdom, Eukratides I Megas AR Drachm. Circa 170-145 BC. Diademed and draped bust to right, wearing crested helmet adorned with bull's horn and ear / The Dioskouroi on horses prancing to right, each holding spear and palm; BAΣIΛEΩΣ MEΓAΛOY above, EYKPATIΔOY below, N below to right. Bopearachchi 7E; Mitchiner 178e; SNG ANS 475-483 var. (all diff. monograms); HGC 12, 136. 4.24g, 19mm, 12h.
Good Very Fine; light cabinet tone over lustrous metal.
From a private UK collection.
In his article 'Early Central Asian Imitations I: The Coinage of Eukratides I' in the Celator (2000), David Spencer Smith notes the garbled Greek lettering of the legends as an identifier of the unofficial status of the drachms of Eukratides I that bear an N in the field, as well as the prominent nose and chin of the portrait (cf. Roma E-87, 466; E-98, 618; E-99, 594 & 595; E-100, 618). Interestingly, both Mitchener and Bopearachchi listed coins similar in style in their catalogues of this period, pieces which look decidedly unofficial when viewed having read Spencer Smith's article.
The style of the present coin places it among the very finest of the drachms of Eukratides I bearing an N in the field, far from the imitative examples offered in recent years. That it is an official issue is still in dispute though, as the legends still lack crossbars on the A's, while the B's and P's are reduced almost to vertical lines.
Good Very Fine; light cabinet tone over lustrous metal.
From a private UK collection.
In his article 'Early Central Asian Imitations I: The Coinage of Eukratides I' in the Celator (2000), David Spencer Smith notes the garbled Greek lettering of the legends as an identifier of the unofficial status of the drachms of Eukratides I that bear an N in the field, as well as the prominent nose and chin of the portrait (cf. Roma E-87, 466; E-98, 618; E-99, 594 & 595; E-100, 618). Interestingly, both Mitchener and Bopearachchi listed coins similar in style in their catalogues of this period, pieces which look decidedly unofficial when viewed having read Spencer Smith's article.
The style of the present coin places it among the very finest of the drachms of Eukratides I bearing an N in the field, far from the imitative examples offered in recent years. That it is an official issue is still in dispute though, as the legends still lack crossbars on the A's, while the B's and P's are reduced almost to vertical lines.