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1141

Baktrian Kingdom. Eukratides I. Silver Tetradrachm (16.84 g), ca. 171-145 BC. Diademed, draped and

cuirassed bust of Eukratides I right, wearing crested helmet adorned with bull’s horn and ear. Rev.

BASILEWS MEGALOU EUKRATIDOU

, the Dioskouroi, each holding palm branch and couched lance, on

horses rearing right; in lower right field, monogram. (Bopearachchi 6E; SNG ANS 465). Mint state. $ 2,500

Eukratides I is notable as one of the very few Graeco-Baktrian and Indo-Greek kings for whom we have historical evidence outside

of coins. He revolted against the reigning Demetrios II in ca. 171 BC, but soon found himself besieged by Demetrios at the head

of a 60,000-strong army. According to Justin, through repeated sorties, Eukratides used his small force of 300 men to raise the siege

and gain victory after four months. He then crossed the Hindu Kush, conquering parts of western India. Unfortunately, his dramatic

reign came to a violent end when his son murdered him, reportedly coldly driving his chariot through his blood. The enduring

popularity of Eukratides’ Dioskouroi reverse type may be gauged by its continued use by several of his Indo-Greek successors, its

imitation by non-Greek peoples in Sogdiana and Baktria, and its incorporation into the seal of the modern Da Afghanistan Bank

(founded 1939).

1142

Baktrian Kingdom. Eukratides I. Silver Obol (0.60 g), ca. 171-145 BC. Diademed and draped bust of

Eukratides I right. Rev.

BASILEWS EUKRATIDOU

, caps of the Dioskouroi surmounted by stars and palm

branches. (Bopearachchi 3F; SNG ANS 454-7). Uniform antique grey toning. Extremely fine.

$ 400

ex Hess-Divo 317 (27 October 2010), 343.

Mint state Philoxenos Silver Tetradrachm

1143

Indo-Greek Kingdom. Philoxenos. Silver Tetradrachm (9.75 g), ca. 100-95 BC.

BASILEWS

ANIKETOU

FILOXENOU

, diademed, draped and cuirassed bust of Philoxenos right, wearing crested helmet adorned

with bull’s horn and ear. Rev. King on horse prancing right; in lower right field, monogram. (Bopearachchi

5C; SNG ANS 1183-6). Fully lustrous. Mint state.

$ 3,000

Philoxenos, who struck coins carrying the epithet Aniketos “the Invincible,” was an obscure but apparently influential king who

briefly ruled most of the lands conquered by the Indo-Greeks. Although he has not been connected to any of the distinct (but

disputed) Indo-Greek dynasties, it has been suggested on tenouous grounds that he might have been the father of Kalliope, the

queen of king Hermaios. His cavalryman reverse type may have influenced subsequent Indo-Scythian coin types.