Sale: Triton XII, Lot: 402. Estimate $1000.  Closing Date: Monday, 5 January 2009.  Sold For $1500. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

BAKTRIA, Greco-Baktrian Kingdom. Agathokles. Circa 185-180 BC. AR Tetradrachm (16.31 g, 12h). Commemorative issue struck for Diodotos I in the name of Antiochos II. ANTIOXOY NIKATOPOΣ, diademed head of Diodotos I right / BAΣIΛEΥONTOΣ AΓAΘOKΛEOYΣ ΔIKAIOY, Zeus Bremetes standing left, seen from behind, extending left arm covered by aegis, and brandishing thunderbolt in right hand; to left, wreath above eagle standing left; monogram in inner right field. Bopearachchi Série 13A; MIG Type 143 var. (same); SNG ANS 258 var. (different control mark on rev.); Bopearachchi & Rahman 164. VF, lightly toned, some surface porosity and light scratches.

With the exception of the ANS catalog, all references incorrectly name the obverse portrait as Antiochos II. A comparison with tetradrachms of Antiochos and Diodotos I, however, clearly reveals that the portrait is that of the latter. As these "pedigree" coins employ the commemorated king's coin types, it is not surprising that this issue for Diodotos I has the name of Antiochos on the obverse, as all of Diodotos’ lifetime coinage was issued in the Seleukid king's name (see Kritt, Dynastic Transitions in the Coinage of Bactria, pp. 7-11). It would also be odd that Agathokles would trace his lineage through the Seleukids, perpetual opponents of the Baktrians. Thus, the "pedigree" series follows the logical line of succession back through Diodotos' first coinage, in the name of Antiochos, and then to Alexander III of Macedon.