Reverse Die for a Tetradrachm of Demetrios I

Triton XXII, Lot: 454. Estimate $7500. Sold for $9000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

BAKTRIA, Greco-Baktrian Kingdom. Demetrios I Aniketos. Circa 200-185 BC. Hardened Æ die for AR Tetradrachm Reverse. Dimensions of reverse die: die face 34 mm in diameter; die shank 39 mm at the face, tapering to 30 mm in diameter at mid point and widening to 40 mm at the base. Weight: 292.70 grams. Coin face is reverse of tetradrachm of Demetrios I with Bopearachchi 1F monogram. O. Bopearachchi, “Deux documents exceptionels en numismatique indo-grecque,” Cahiers Numismatiques 48.189 (September 2011), no. II and figs. 2-4 (this die). VF for type, die face well-preserved with brown and earthen patina, broken shank and stress cracks from striking, 1 mm drill hole in shank for metallurgical analysis. Extremely rare.

From the Gasvoda Collection. Ex Classical Numismatic Group 91 (19 September 2012), lot 423.