Early Enigma

Triton XIV, Lot: 409. Estimate $500. Sold for $1900. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

BAKTRIA, Pre-Seleukid Era. Uncertain. Circa 305-294 BC. AR Obol (9mm, 0.62 g, 6h). Head of Kybele or Tyche right, wearing mural crown / Eagle standing left, head right, with wings spread. Cf. CNG 61, 789, otherwise unpublished. Good VF, toned.

From the N.T. Collection. Ex Classical Numismatic Group 66 (19 May 2004), lot 928.

The presence of Kybele/Tyche on a coin this far east and at this time is unprecedented. This particular coin was reportedly unearthed in the region of ancient Baktria; a transfer from the West cannot be ruled out, although no similar coins can be found there either. Stylistically, the eagle is consistent with the Sophytes coinage, as is general fabric of the flan. A possible explanation for the appearance of Kybele/Tyche on a Baktrian coin of this period may be the numerous cities founded during Alexander the Great's eastern campaigns. These cities were populated with both soldiers and citizens who had accompanied Alexander; many of them came from Asia Minor, where a number of cities were using similar Kybele/Tyche types at the same time (for example, Mytilene in Lesbos, Plakia in Mysia, and Nagidos in Cilicia). After Alexander's death, many of his new cities, especially those along the Sogdian borderlands, were attacked and razed by the indigenous tribes. In this context of strife, the appearance of a Western city goddess and protectoress would not be unusual.