Previous Lot Next Lot

Auction: 23007 - Ancient Coins Including the 'Kyrios' Collection of Greek Coins and featuring the 'Ostorius' Collection of Roman Gold
Lot: 140

The 'Kyrios' Collection | Kingdom of Baktria, Agathokles (c. 171-160 BC), AR Tetradrachm, in commemoration of Euthydemos I, c. 171-168, EYTHYDEMOY THEOY diademed head right, rev. BASILEIONTOS AGATHOKLEOS naked Herakles seated left on rock, resting club on rock at his side, monogram behind, DIKAIOY in exergue, 16.67g (SNG ANS 261; Bib. Nat. 16, B; Mitchener 145), toned and lustrous, marvellous strike and perfectly-centred, some surface marks but otherwise a beautiful and exceptional coin of great rarity, good very fine to extremely fine, not to be missed

PROVENANCE

From the Collection of the late Reverend D. R. Steele, sold as the 'John Marshall Collection' through Spink in 2009:

Spink 198, 19 March 2009, lot 368, 'rare, extremely fine' - £4,600

Spink 176, 30 November 2005, lot 563, extremely fine and very rare, an exceptional coin'

Purchased by Spink in 1993


Agathokles' well-known 'commemorative issues' have been a subject of lively debate in academia since the nineteenth century. As, lamentably, our only record of Agathokles is through his coinage, the significance or intention behind his various issues of 'pedigree' coins, depicting all previous Baktrian kings except Euthydemos II, is unknown. Some scholars theorised that the kings depicted were contemporary to Agathokles; others suggested that he was ruling as a subordinate to Diodotus; others still have suggested that Agathokles was merely commemorating those who came before him.

The discovery of further commemorative issues have nullified some of these claims, and it is generally accepted that Agathokles was attempting to bolster his shaky position on the throne, amid challenges to his rule from both within and without, by paying tribute to the lineage of Baktrian kings. Whatever the meaning of the commemorations, they provide inestimable help in the reconstruction of early Baktrian history - as historian Frank Holt states, "All such reconstructions of early Bactrian history must take into account these extraordinary coins".

Subject to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium. For more information please view Terms and Conditions for Buyers.

Sold for
£5,500

Starting price
£3500