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| The Coin Cabinet > Kallista Auction 4 | Auction date: 14 May 2026 |
| Lot number: 27 Price realized: 16,500 GBP (Approx. 22,249 USD / 19,050 EUR) Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees. | Show similar lots on CoinArchives Find similar lots in upcoming auctions on  |
| Lot description: Greco-Baktrian Kingdom, Euthydemos I AV Stater ANCIENT GREECE. GRECO-BAKTRIAN KINGDOM. Euthydemos I. Gold Stater, circa 230-190 BC. Obv: diademed head right. Rev: BAΣIΛEΩΣ EYΘYΔHMOY, Herakles seated left on pile of rocks, leaning back with hand on rock and holding club which rests on stone at feet; monogram to upper right. Extremely Fine; the finest of the three known examples, a stunning coin struck with artistic dies that, as opposed to the typical portrait of Euthydemos, portray the king in a more mature, veristic aspect; an important coin deserving of a place in a connoisseurial collection. Extremely Rare; only the third known example. Ex Ira & Larry Goldberg, Auction 69 (29/5/2012), lot 3201; Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd, Auction 2 (2/10/2011), lot 367 (hammer: 17,000 GBP). With letter from Professor Osmund Bopearachchi, dated August 10th 2025, transcribed with permission here and available upon request (n.b. he refers to this coin as the second known example, whereas it is the third - see the Gorny & Mosch example referenced below): 'As requested, I would like to give my opinion on the gold stater coin […] issued in the name of Euthydemus I, Greek king who reigned in Bactria and Sogdiana between 230 and 190 BC. This is the second known example of this series bearing the exceptional monogram: [monogram repeated here]. The first coin was published by me in 2000. ([…] [see Osmund Bopearachchi, "Two unreported coins from the second Mir Zakah deposit", News Letter, Oriential Numismatics Society, no. 165, Autumn 2000, pp. 15-6]). The most important feature of the new coin is that it is also struck with the same obverse and reverse dies. 'It is a pleasure to see a second coin issued with the same obverse and reverse dies. The obverse of the new coin [the present example] is quite well centred compared to the first Mir Zakah coin […] while the reverse die is shifted to the right, leaving the dotted border on the left fully visible […] The fact that the portrait of the king on the obverse bears similarities to that of Diodotus is significant, because according to the Greek historian Polybius, Euthydemus usurped power from Diodotus I's successor, Diodotus II and founded the Euthyedemid dynasty. 'Another important feature of these two coins is that they clearly show that the type of coin was first engraved on the die, and then the legend was engraved after to fir the available space. The legend on the reverse, BAΣIΛEΩΣ and EYΘYΔHMOY, is not entirely vertical compared to later issues by Euthydemus. This is more evident when observing the difference in size of the Greek letters and their alignment. The legend on the left side of the reverse: EYΘYΔHMOY takes a curved position to fit the space occupied by the pile of stones on which Heracles holds his club. The upper part of the legends is curved in comparison to the inclined club. I have reported similar cases on the Greco-Bactrian coins of Eucratides I. (see Osmund Bopearachchi, In: Bopearachchi & Basu Majumdar, From Hindu Kush to Salt Range, Kolkata, pp. 90-94, plates 35-37). 'Given all these characteristics, this coin, which is in better condition, should be considered an important coin of Greco-Bactrian coinage'. Reference: SNG ANS-; BMC-; Bopearachchi-; G&M 155, lot 163 (same dies). Weight: 8.45g. Diameter: 20mm. Die Axis: 6h. PLEASE NOTE: A 22.50% buyer's premium will be charged separately. VAT on the buyer's premium may apply in accordance with UK regulations. Payment can be made in EUR, CHF, or USD for an exchange fee. Please contact us to find out more. Estimate: 10000 GBP |  |
