Sale: Triton XIII, Lot: 265. Estimate $1000.  Closing Date: Monday, 4 January 2010.  Sold For $900. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

EARLY SKYTHIANS, Imitating Eukratides I of Baktria. Late 2nd-mid 1st century BC. AR Drachm (4.06 g, 12h). Diademed, draped, and cuirassed bust of Eukratides right, wearing crested helmet adorned with bull's horn and ear; all within pelleted border / BAΣIΛEΩΣ MEΓAΛOY EYKPATIΔOY, the Dioskouroi on rearing horses right, holding palms and spears; monogram similar to Bopearachchi 7G to lower right. Senior A19 (for type); cf. ATEC 1615-6 (Khwarezmia). Good VF, toned. Struck with dies of fine style for issue.

Several significant features suggest that this coin is an imitative, rather than official, issue. The features of the obverse portrait – the eye, the details of the helmet and crest, the drapery, and the pteryges of the cuirass – are more simplistically rendered than in the high Hellenistic style expected with official issues. On the reverse, the letter forms of the legend appear unlike those found on official issues. The rendering of the Dioskouroi is also unusual with large pellets for the horses’ eyes. The monogram shows no evidence of being recut, but clearly attempts to copy Bopearachchi monogram 7G, though without the additional bordering circle.