Same Obverse Die – Two Different Monograms

CNG 105, Lot: 526. Estimate $2000. Sold for $1200. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

BAKTRIA, Greco-Baktrian Kingdom. Eukratides I Megas. Circa 170-145 BC. Group of four AR Tetradrachms. All coins: Diademed and draped bust right, wearing crested helmet adorned with bull's horn and ear / The Dioskouroi on horses rearing right, holding palm fronds and lances; monogram to right. Group includes the following: a) (31mm, 16.52 g, 12h). Bopearachchi 6J; Bopearachchi, Indus, 80 (this coin) // b) (32mm, 16.49 g, 12h). Bopearachchi 6J; Bopearachchi, Indus, 81 (this coin) // c) (31.5mm, 16.48 g, 12h). Bopearachchi 6J; Bopearachchi, Indus, 82 (this coin) // d) (31.5mm, 16.48 g, 12h). Bopearachchi 6E; Bopearachchi, Indus, 83 (this coin). Coins average VF, light toning, coins a) and c) with light porosity. All coins struck from the same obverse die, coins a), b), and c) also struck from the same reverse die.

This group of four tetradrachms provides useful evidence regarding the control marks on the coinage of Eukratides I. All four coins share the same obverse die, and the three tetradrachms with the T control (coins a-c) share the same reverse die. The fourth coin (coin d), however, was struck with a reverse that has the control Í (a second example is Qunduz 206). In his discussion on these coins (Indus, p. 96), Bopearachchi noted other examples of different control marks linked by the same obverse die. While he does not draw a conclusion about the evidence, he does suggest that a more in-depth die study may provide further evidence for the possible arrangement of Bactrian mints.