Lot 2747

Description

Bactria, Indo-Greeks, Kingdom of, Agathocles, (c.190-180 B.C.), silver tetradrachm, (16.47 grams), Merv mint, obv. diademed head of Antiochus to right, to right ANTIOCOV and to left NIKATOROS, rev. Zeus nude advancint to left with small shield hurling thunderbolt, eagle to left, wreath above, Merv mint monogram to right, on right, BASILEVONTOS and to left AGAYOKLEOVS and DIKAIOV in exergue, (S.-, cf.Mitchiner Vol.I 143, Bopearachchi Series 13 No. A [p.178]). Very porous on obverse and less so on reverse, otherwise good very fine, and extremely rare and apparently the third known specimen.

This extremely rare issue has been the subject of controversy. In view of the commemoration of Alexander the Great for this ruler it would not be unnatural to look for a coin honouring Antiochus I (last Seleucid to have authority over Bactria or Antiochus II the Seleucid from who, Diodotus withdrew his alliegence to form Bactria. The portrait is similar to Diodotus and the reverse also is not Seleucid but like those of the striding Zeus of the Diodotids. Another alternative interpretation is that the coins are of a successor of Diodotus I by the name of Antiochus or Antiochus Nikator of this coin. As there is a common reverse die known to be used for both types of Diodotus and Antiochus coin it does suggests that these two kings were explicitly associated in the mind of the celators.