Pre-Long Beach Auction #78

Kingdom of Baktria. Eukratides I, c. 171-135 BC. AR Tetradrachm (16.12 g). Helmeted and draped bust right of Eukratides I. Reverse: Conjoined and draped busts right of Heliokles (father of Eukratides) and Laodike (mother of Eukratides). SNG ANS 528-9; Mitchiner 1725-1727 var. (obverse head left); Bop. Série 16 (plate 20, 71). Very rare, extremely so with obverse head left. Porous with some flan faults as made. All portraits are well-struck, distinct, and in high relief. Sharpness of Choice Very Fine.

This dynastic type is one of the great rarities of Baktria, which was founded c. 256 BC, when Diodotos revolted against Antiochos II of Syria. Baktria was the most easterly kingdom of the ancient Greek world.
Estimated Value $5,000 - 7,500.