Our partner for world banknotes research
| Classical Numismatic Group > Auction 133 | Auction date: 15 September 2026 |
| Lot number: 412 Price realized: 2,500 USD (Approx. 2,167 EUR) Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees. | |
| Lot description: BAKTRIA, Greco-Baktrian Kingdom. Agathokles Dikaios. Circa 185-175 BC. AR Tetradrachm (31.5mm, 16.42 g, 12h). Commemorative issue struck for Antiochos III of Syria. ANTIOXOY to right, NIKATOPOΣ to left, diademed head of Euthydemos right / BAΣIΛEONTOS to right, AΓAΘOKΛEOYΣ to left; DIKAIOY in exergue, Zeus Bremetes, seen from behind, advancing left, extended left arm draped with aegis, preparing to hurl thunderbolt in right hand; in inner left field, wreath above above eagle standing left; monogram to inner right. MPHB Group I, 121–8 var. (O21bis/R– [unlisted rev. die]); Bopearachchi 13A; SNG ANS –; HGC 12, 84; Triton XII, lot 402 (same obv. die). Toned, cleaning marks, horn silver. VF. Ex Leu Numismatik AG Web Auction 30 (13 July 2024), lot 1182 (since cleaned); Classical Numismatic Group 123 (23 May 2023), lot 341. The attribution of the individual on this tetradrachm, one of the series of pedigree issues struck by Agathokles, has been the subject of much discussion. Based on his own coinage, the portrait here is that of Euthydemos I. The legend – ANTIOXOY NIKATOPOΣ – suggests one of the early Seleukid kings of that name, and attempts have been made to associate the Antiochos on this tetradrachm with Antiochos II, who is named on the issues of Diodotos I. Jens Jakobsson ("Antiochus Nicator, the Third King of Baktria?", NC 170 [2010], p. 25), while rightly arguing against Antiochos II as the person commemorated, offered no alternative. Brian Kritt, who recently has revisited the issue (New Discoveries in Bactrian Numismatics, Chapter 5), convincingly suggests Antiochos III as the mostly likely candidate. Antiochos III, whose historical epithet is Megas (the Great), conducted a vigorous series of campaigns in the East, including the subjugation of the Parthians, his victories in Bactria, including the capture of Aï Khanoum, and his subsequent campaigning in India (p. 80). Like Alexander before him (who also figures in the pedigree series), Antiochos would have been a figure worthy of emulation by Agathokles and with whom he would wish to be associated. Estimate: 1000 USD |  |
Match 1:
| Classical Numismatic Group > Auction 133 | Auction date: 15 September 2026 |
| Lot number: 411 Price realized: 1,900 USD (Approx. 1,647 EUR) Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees. | |
| Lot description: BAKTRIA, Greco-Baktrian Kingdom. Agathokles Dikaios. Circa 185-175 BC. AR Tetradrachm (30mm, 16.66 g, 12h). Diademed and draped bust right / Zeus, standing facing, holding scepter and figure of Hekate, holding a torch in each hand; D to inner left. MPHB Series I, Group I, 88 (O10/R40 – this coin); Bopearachchi 1D; SNG ANS 230; HGC 12, 81. Toned, light marks. VF. Ex Artemide XXXIV (10 December 2011), lot 36; Leu 65 (21 May 1996), lot 261. Agathokles Dikaios ("the Just") is a near complete mystery to us in terms of his origins, rise to power and the extent of his realm. On his rare "pedigree" coinage he claims the previous Baktrian Kings Diodotos I, Euthydemos and Demetrios, as well as the Seleukid King Antiochos III the Great as his ancestors; however these were from rival houses and unlikely to be his true relations. The available evidence supports the conclusion that he was a usurper who seized control, or was appointed to rule, a portion of the vast, unwieldy kingdom along with his contemporaries Antimachos Theos, Pantaleon and Apollodotos I, whose coins were struck in the same 20 year span. Estimate: 1000 USD |  |
Match 2:
| Classical Numismatic Group > Electronic Auction 619 | Auction date: 21 October 2026 |
| Lot number: 385 Price realized: This lot is for sale in an upcoming auction - Bid on this lot  | |
| Lot description: BAKTRIA, Greco-Baktrian Kingdom. Agathokles Dikaios. Circa 185-175 BC. CU-NI Double Unit (24mm, 7.28 g, 12h). Draped bust of Dionysos right, wearing ivy wreath, with thyrsos over shoulder / Panther, wearing bell, standing right, raising left forepaw; vine to right; ΦI to left. MPHB Group IV (O41/R– [unlisted rev. die]); Bopearachchi 5C; SNG ANS –; HGC 14, 94. Green patina, roughness, some weakness. Good VF. Ex Classical Numismatic Group Electronic Auction 572 (), lot 485. Estimate: 100 USD |  |
Match 3:
| Classical Numismatic Group > Electronic Auction 609 | Auction date: 13 May 2026 |
| Lot number: 353 Price realized: 2,250 USD (Approx. 1,917 EUR) Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees. | |
| Lot description: BAKTRIA, Greco-Baktrian Kingdom. Diodotos I Soter. Circa 255-235 BC. AR Tetradrachm (27mm, 16.28 g, 6h). In the name of Antiochos II of Syria. Mint A (near Aï Khanoum). Diademed head right / Zeus Bremetes advancing left; to inner left, monogram above eagle standing left. Holt Series A, Group 6; Bopearachchi 2E; SNG ANS 77; HGC 9, 244. Iridescent toning, granular surfaces. VF. Attractive example. Estimate: 400 USD |  |
Match 4:
| Classical Numismatic Group > Electronic Auction 618 | Auction date: 7 October 2026 |
| Lot number: 244 Price realized: 300 USD (Approx. 268 EUR) Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees. | |
| Lot description: CYPRUS, Salamis. Nikokreon. Circa 331-310 BC. AR Tetradrachm (26.5mm, 17.06 g, 12h). In the name of Philip III of Macedon, the types of Alexander III. Struck circa 323-317 BC. Head of Herakles right, wearing lion skin / Zeus Aëtophoros seated left; rudder in left field. Cf. Zapiti & Michaelidou 29; Price P129; Newell, Some 13. Faintly toned. Good Fine. Nikokreon succeeded Pnytagoras on the throne of Salamis and is reported to have paid homage to Alexander after the conqueror's return from Egypt to Tyre in 331 BC. In the war between Antigonos and Ptolemy (315 BC), Nikokreon supported the latter and was rewarded by being placed in control of all Cyprus. Estimate: 150 USD |  |
Match 5:
| Classical Numismatic Group > Auction 133 | Auction date: 15 September 2026 |
| Lot number: 420 Price realized: 2,250 USD (Approx. 1,950 EUR) Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees. | |
| Lot description: BAKTRIA, Greco-Baktrian Kingdom. Demetrios II. Circa 150-145 BC. AR Tetradrachm (35mm, 16.77 g, 12h). Diademed and draped bust right / Athena standing facing, wearing triple crested helmet, holding spear and shield set on ground; monogram to left of spear. Bopearachchi 1D; SNG ANS 392 = NFA (14 December 1989), lot 755 (same dies); HGC 12, 126; Zeno 259245 = Roma XX, lot 347 var. (monogram – same obv. die). Toned, slightly double struck. EF. Ex Neil Collection (Roma E-Sale 99, 7 July 2022), lot 584. After establishing himself in power over the Seleukid Empire by rather brutal means, Demetrios II undertook to reclaim his eastern territories from the Parthians in 138 BC. At first successful, his forces were ambushed in the Iranian mountains and Demetrios was taken prisoner by the Parthian King Mithradates I. He remained in captivity for eight years, during which time Mithradates treated him honorably and even married him to a Parthian princess. He was released in 130 BC to sow discord within the ranks of the invading Seleukid army of his brother and successor, Antiochos VII. However, Antiochos was killed in the ensuing military debacle, leaving Demetrios II as sole ruler for the second time. His years among the Parthians had changed him visibly – he emerged with a long, flowing beard, much against Greek fashion of the day. His pro-Parthian policies made his countryman regard him suspiciously, leading to his overthrow in 125 BC. Despite his troubled regime, his coin portraits from the second reign are some of the best in the entire Seleukid series. Estimate: 1500 USD |  |
