BAKTRIA, Greco-Baktrian Kingdom. Euthydemos I Theos Megas. Circa 225-200/195 BC. AR Tetradrachm (29mm, 16.56 g, 12h). Mint A (near Aï Khanoum). Struck circa 206-200 BC. Good VF.

Triton XXIX
Lot: 414. Estimated: $ 1 500

Oriental Greek, Coin-in-Hand Video, Silver

Sold For $ 3 750. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

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BAKTRIA, Greco-Baktrian Kingdom. Euthydemos I Theos Megas. Circa 225-200/195 BC. AR Tetradrachm (29mm, 16.56 g, 12h). Mint A (near Aï Khanoum). Struck circa 206-200 BC. Diademed head right, with elderly features / BAΣIΛEYΩΣ to right, EYΘYΔHMOY to left, nude Herakles seated left on rock, supporting himself with left hand, holding in right hand a club set on rocks to left; monogram to lower right. Bopearachchi 11A; Kritt A17; MPHB A Group III, 249 (this coin); Bopearachchi & Rahman –; SNG ANS –; MIG Type 89c; HGC 12, 4. Deep iridescent toning. Good VF.

From the Collection of Professor Emeritus N. Keith Rutter. Ex Classical Numismatic Review XLI.2 (Summer 2016), no. 436186; Donald Squires Collection (Spink USA 325, 21 June 2016), lot 62; Classical Numismatic Group 75 (23 May 2007), lot 617.

Euthydemos, the third Greco-Baktrian king, presents an interesting picture of a ruler. We know three things about him—he was bold, he was honest, and he was stubborn. We know he was bold because he took the initiative to overthrow his overlord, Diodotos II, and make himself king. We can say he was honest, as least as far as his appearance goes, because he is one of the few rulers who actually ages on his coins. His early coins depict him as a relatively smooth-faced young man. By the end of his reign, he is the aged, care-worn fellow we see on this remarkable coin portrait. As for stubborn, Euthydemos is mentioned by the second-century BC historian Polybius in his life of the Seleukid king Antiochos III the Great (222-187 BC). According to Polybius, Antiochos decided to march east and reconquer all the lands that had been lost by his forebears. In 208 BC, he arrived in Baktria, ruled by Euthydemos. The Baktrian ruler commanded a huge cavalry arm, more than 10,000 riders. But these were routed by the Seleukid army and Euthydemos took refuge in the city of Baktra, where he remained under siege for more than two years. Eventually, Antiochos wearied of the siege and cut a deal, allowing Euthydemos to retain power. His stubbornness had paid off.

The final winners of all Triton XXIX lots will be determined at the live public sale that will be held on 13-14 January 2026.

Triton XXIX – Session Two – Lot 302-613 will be held Tuesday afternoon, 13 January 2026 beginning at 2:00 PM ET.

Winning bids are subject to a 22.5% buyer's fee for bids placed on this website and 25% for all others.

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