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Research Coins: Electronic Auction

 

Four Rare Baktrian Drachms

196, Lot: 79. Estimate $100.
Sold for $210. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

BAKTRIA, Greco-Baktrian Kingdom. Diodotos I. Circa 255-235 BC. AR Drachm (16mm, 3.46 g, 6h). Mint A (near Aï Khanoum). Struck in the name of Antiochos II of Syria, circa 255-240 BC. Diademed head right / Zeus striding left, brandishing thunderbolt, holding aegis; to inner left, monogram above eagle standing left. Cf. Holt Series A, Group 6 (tetradrachm); cf. Bopearachchi serié 2E (tetradrachms); SNG ANS -; cf. MIG Series 64 (tetradrachms); SC Ad27 = Kritt, p. 20 = CNG 38, lot 483. Near Fine, some find patina, cleaning marks on obverse. Extremely rare denomination, the second known for this series of Diodotos I.


Diodotos was the satrap of Baktria under the Seleukid king Antiochos II, who later revolted to form an independent Baktria. The reason for the use of Antiochos' name on the early Baktrian coinage is uncertain. The numismatic evidence indicates that this coinage continued into the beginning of the reign of Diodotos II, which clearly indicates that it was not a 'satrapal' issue paying homage to the Seleukid monarch, but was a convention unrelated to the political relationship of the two kingdoms. Most likely it is either to assert the legitimacy of the Diodotid kings or the validity of their coinage, or perhaps both.