PREV ARTICLE
NEXT ARTICLE
FULL ISSUE
PREV FULL ISSUE
BACTRIAN TETRADRACHM OF KING EUCRATIDES
Cataloguer Chris Chatigny of Stack's Bowers published a short item April 12, 2017 on a nice tetradrachm of King Eucratides
-Editor
The next highlight for our upcoming May Collectors Choice Online Auction is a wonderful Ancient coin from one of the farthest corners of the Hellenistic world. In the wake of Alexander the Great’s death his generals warred over the right to rule his empire. Though no individual would claim total dominion over the Hellenistic empire, successor states would arise and last for centuries. One of these was the Seleucid Dynasty founded by Seleucos I in the present day Middle East and Central Asia. The far eastern portion of the Seleucid Kingdom changed hands multiple times and was eventually taken from the Euthydemid Dynasty by Eucratides (the Great). Like the Diadochi and Alexander, Eucratides set off on a series of conquests of neighboring kingdoms, specifically the Indo-Greeks. The vast issue of coinage for Eucratides is a testament to his influence. The obverse features a prominent visage of the Bactrian ruler, Eucratides. Sporting an impressive helmet (adorned with bull’s horn and ear), the king of Bactria looks ready to ride into battle. The reverse displays the twins Castor and Pollux, known collectively as the Dioscuri and commonly pictured on horseback. The Greek legend found above and below translates to: “Of Great King Eucratides.” This example presents a great strike from fine-style dies and displays exceptional luster.
There is much more to ancient coins than the Roman bronzes and Greek states so often pictured in books and articles.
I continue to be surprised by the wide variety of designs.
That helmet is what caught my eye - he looks like a WWI General. The reverse is quite busy and the horses at first looked to me like a giant ant.
-Editor
To read the complete article, see:
Wayne Homren, Editor The Numismatic Bibliomania Society is a non-profit organization promoting numismatic literature. See our web site at coinbooks.org. To submit items for publication in The E-Sylum, write to the Editor at this address: whomren@gmail.com To subscribe go to: https://my.binhost.com/lists/listinfo/esylum All Rights Reserved. NBS Home Page Contact the NBS webmaster 
|