BAKTRIA, Greco-Baktrian Kingdom. Euthydemos I Theos Megas. Circa 225-200/195 BC. AR Tetradrachm (29.5mm, 16.22 g, 12h). Mint B ("Baktra"). Struck circa 210-206 BC. Near EF.

CNG Feature Auction 133
Lot: 409. Estimated: $ 1 000

Oriental Greek, Coin-in-Hand Video, Silver

Sold For $ 1 400. 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 (29.5mm, 16.22 g, 12h). Mint B ("Baktra"). Struck circa 210-206 BC. Diademed head right / Herakles seated left on rock, holding club set on knee; monogram to lower right. MPHB B Group IV and V, 390 var. (O107/R– [unlisted rev. die]); Kritt B14; Bopearachchi 9A; SNG ANS 136; HGC 12, 4. Light porosity. Near EF.

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 as seen here. By the end of his reign, he is aged and care-worn. 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, 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 CNG Feature Auction 133 lots will be determined at the live online sale that will be held on 15-16 September 2026.

CNG Feature Auction 133 – Session Two – Lot 309-594 will be held Tuesday morning, 15 September 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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