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Research Coins: Electronic Auction

 

A New King of Baktria?

265, Lot: 229. Estimate $500.
Sold for $320. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

BAKTRIA, Greco-Baktrian Kingdom. Antiochos Nikator. Circa 240-225 BC. AR Drachm (17mm, 4.09 g, 4h). Attic standard. Diademed head right / Zeus Bremetes left; monograms to left and right. Holt Series E, Group 3 (Diodotos II); Bopearachchi Série 3C (Diodotos I and II); SNG ANS 80 (Antiochos II of Syria). Near VF. Very rare.


According to the traditional chronology of the early Baktrian kings, Diodotos I attempted to gradually secede from the Seleukids. This stands in stark contrast to all other separatists and usurpers of the time. As a part of his slow transition, he first issued coins bearing a the name of Antiochos, and only later struck in his own name. Jakobsson (NC 2010, pp. 17-33) refutes this model and reassigns these “transitional” issues from Diodotos to a new King Antiochos in Baktria. His argument rests on three main points: the existence of a commemorative tetradrachm of Agathokles that names an Antiochos Nikator; a new arrangement of the control marks and links between the coinage of Diodotos II, “Antiochos,” and Euthydemos; and the generally overcomplicated nature of the earlier models of Holt and Kritt.

According to the new chronology, Diodotos I swiftly broke from the Seleukids and struck coinage in his own name. He was succeeded by Diodotos II, then Antiochos Nikator, who both continued with the same dynastic type of Zeus Bremetes.