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| Classical Numismatic Group > Auction 133 | Auction date: 15 September 2026 |
| Lot number: 426 Price realized: This lot is for sale in an upcoming auction - Bid on this lot  | Show similar lots on CoinArchives Find similar lots in upcoming auctions on  |
| Lot description: BAKTRIA, Indo-Greek Kingdom. Agathokleia & Strato I Soter. Circa 105-85/0 BC. AR Tetradrachm (27mm, 9.62 g, 12h). Jugate draped busts right of Strato I, also diademed, and Agathokleia / Athena Alkidemos standing left, brandishing thunderbolt and aegis; monogram to inner left. Bopearachchi 6A; Haughton, Silver, pp. 135-6 and pl. VIII, 2; Bopearachchi & Rahman 418; SNG ANS 987; MIG Type 306a; HGC 12, 314. Toned, tiny delaminations, slightly double struck, brushed. EF. Rare. The numismatic evidence suggests that Strato and Agathokleia co-ruled a portion of the Indo-Greek Kingdom, likely encompassing western Ghandara and parts of the Punjab, sometime in the later second century BC, but their possible connection with the other Indo-Greek dynasts remains entirely conjectural. The early consensus was that Agathokleia was the wife or sister of Menander I Soter (circa 155-130 BC), and that Strato was their son, for whom she served as regent in the early part of the reign. Further studies indicated that a gap of at least 20 years came between the reign of Menander and that of Agathokleia and Strato, precluding a direct succession. Agathokleia's name suggests she may be a descendant of the earlier Greco-Baktrian king Agathokles. Her prominence is indicated by a small coinage with her portrait alone on the obverse (see the previous two lots), making her the only female to appear by herself on a coin of the series. Estimate: 3000 USD |  |
