Lot 4103
Baktrian Kingdom. Eukratides, ca. 171-145 BC. Gold Stater (8.46g). Diademed and draped bust right of Eukratides in helmet adorned with bull's ear and horn. Reverse: BAΣIΛEΩΣ MEΓAΛOY EYKPATIΔOY. Dioskouri on rearing horses right, each holding palm branch and spear; to right, monogram. Al. N. Oikonomedes, "The Gold Coinage of the Indo-Greek King Eukratides I (171-155 B.C.)," North American Journal of Numismatics 7.6 (1968), Group B; F.L. Holt, "Eukratides of Baktria," Studies Oikonomedes, pp. 72-76; Bopearachchi 5 var. (unlisted monogram); cf. Bopearachchi 7A (drachm).
Extremely rare, only seven known examples of this type.
Perfectly centered and free from faults. A marvelous strike. Lustrous. Nearly Mint State.
Eukratides I, unquestionably one of the most important monarchs of the Baktrian and Indo-Greek kingdom, ruled for about a quarter of a century, having risen to power ca. 170 BC. His extensive coinage includes a unique gold 20-stater piece in Paris, tetradrachms with a majestic left-facing heroic bust of the king, and tetradrachms depicting portraits of his parents Heliokles and Laodike. Gold is of great rarity, and this superbly preserved stater is probably from the mint of Pushkalavati (modern Charsadda in the Peshawar valley of Pakistan). The king wears a helmet, which is curiously reminiscent of the British colonial helmets of the Victorian era. It is ornamented with a bull's horn and ear, as on the coins of Seleukos I of Syria depicting Alexander as the god Dionysos, the legendary conqueror of the Orient. The reverse features the mounted Dioskouroi, Castor and Pollux, twin sons of Zeus and Leda and brothers of Helen of Troy. The Dioskouroi also appear on the coins of the Syrian king Antiochos VI in the years immediately following the end of Eukratides' reign, though this may be no more than coincidence.
Estimated Value $40,000 - 50,000.
The Hunter Collection.
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| Realized $109,250 |
