Description
Greco-Bactrian Kingdom, Eukratides I Megas of the Diodotid Dynasty, King of Greco-Bactria 171-145 BC, Silver Tetradrachm (16.90g, 32mm, Attic Standard), circa 171-145 BC. Obverse: Diademed, draped and cuirassed bust of King Eukratides I the Great facing to the right. Reverse: The Dioscuri on horseback prancing to the right, each armed with spear in right hand aimed forward and holding palm branch in left, “ΛΦ” monogram to inner right field, “BΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ” above, “ΕΥΚΡΑΤΙΔΟΥ” below. Bopearachchi-1AD; Mitchiner-168a; SNG ANS-432. Attractively toned with a deep cabinet grey, the obverse more so, choicely centred and attractive in hand, the reverse noteworthy, details near Extremely Fine.
The Reverse Greek legend reads “BΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΕΥΚΡΑΤΙΔΟΥ” or “Basileús Eúkratidou”, with an English translation of “of King Eucratides”.
Eucratides I ‘the great’ was one of the last but most significant Greek King of the Bactrian Kingdom, rising to power following his Coup d’état against the rival Euthydemid dynasty and restoring the Diodotid dynasty, the founding dynasty of the Greco-Bactrian state, back to power. The Diodotids reached their zenith under Euktratides, waging numerous military campaigns to the East against the Euthydemid ruled Indo-Greek Kingdom, conquering vast territory as far east as the Indus. Further to this, his reign can be surmised as considerably significant and prestigious by virtue of the range, quality and quantity of his coinage, most aptly demonstrated by the issue of the “Eukratideion”, the largest gold coin of Antiquity struck to a weight of 20 gold staters (approx. 169.2g, Attic gold standard stater of 8.5g). All the more interestingly, the numismatics of Eucratides I allows for great insight into his reign, for instance, the only source of information of his parents is described on a commemorative tetradrachm displaying the jugate portrait of his mother and father where they are named ‘Heliocles’ and ‘Laodice’; and also several types displaying his titulature, “ΒΑΣΙΛΕΥΣ ΜΕΓΑΣ ΕΥΚΡΑΤΙΔΗΣ” (Basileús mégas Eúkratides) – “Great King Eukratides”, or using the genitive form of mégas and his name, “ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥ ΕΥΚΡΑΤΙΔΟΥ” (Basileús megálou Eúkratidou) – “of Great King Eucratides”.
‘Eukratides led many wars with great courage, and, while weakened by them, was put under siege by Demetrios, king of the Indians. He made numerous sorties, and managed to vanquish 60,000 enemies with 300 soldiers, and thus liberated after four months, he put India under his rule’ (Marcus Junianus Justinus Frontinus, c. 2nd century AD, XLI, 6).