| Savoca Numismatik GmbH & Co. KG > Herakles Auction 3 | Auction date: 7 July 2025 |
| Lot number: 78 Price realized: 950 EUR (Approx. 1,119 USD) Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees. | Show similar lots on CoinArchives Find similar lots in upcoming auctions on  |
| Lot description: Bactria. Greco-Baktrian Kingdom. Uncertain mint in the Paropamisadai or Gadhara. Eukratides I Megas 170-145 BC. Tetradrachm AR 31 mm, 16,64 g Helmeted and diademed bust of Eukratides right / ΒAΣΙΛEΩΣ MEΓAΛOY EYKPATIΔOY, the Dioskouroi with palms and spears on horseback right, monogram to right. Extremely Fine HGC 12, 131. The tetradrachms of Eukratides I Megas (reigned circa 171-145 BC) are among the most impressive and historically significant coins of the Greco-Bactrian Kingdom. Eukratides, who styled himself "Megas" ("the Great"), ruled over a vast territory in Central Asia that included parts of modern Afghanistan, Pakistan, and northern India. His silver tetradrachms are remarkable for their size, weight, and artistry. The obverse typically features a bold, idealized bust of Eukratides wearing a crested helmet adorned with bull's horns and ear flaps, symbolizing both Hellenistic martial power and possible local cultural influences. The inscription ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥ ΕΥΚΡΑΤΙΔΟΥ ("of King Eukratides the Great") emphasizes his authority and grandeur. The reverse commonly depicts the Dioscuri (Castor and Pollux), twin horsemen riding with spears and shields, evoking themes of divine protection, heroism, and Greek identity. This blend of Greek iconography with eastern stylistic elements illustrates the cultural syncretism of the Greco-Bactrian realm. These coins circulated widely, underscoring Eukratides' economic power and the kingdom's integration into transcontinental trade routes like the Silk Road. Today, his tetradrachms are prized by collectors and historians alike for their numismatic artistry and their testament to Hellenism in Central Asia. Starting price: 500 EUR |  |
