Commemorative Issue for Diodotos II Soter

Triton XXII, Lot: 458. Estimate $5000. Sold for $7500. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

BAKTRIA, Greco-Baktrian Kingdom. Agathokles Dikaios. Circa 185-175 BC. AR Tetradrachm (32mm, 16.69 g, 12h). Commemorative issue struck for Diodotos II Soter. ΔIOΔOTOY down right, ΣΩTHPOΣ down left, diademed head of Diodotos right / BAΣIΛEYONTOΣ down right, ΑΓΑΘΟΚΛΕOYΣ down left, ΔIKAIOY in exergue, Zeus Bremetes, seen from behind, advancing left, aegis draped over outstretched left arm, and brandishing thunderbolt in right hand; in inner left field, wreath above eagle standing left; monogram to inner right. Kritt, New, p. 81; Bopearachchi 14A; Bopearachchi & Rahman 165-166; SNG ANS 259; MIG Type 144a; HGC 12, 85; CNG 108, lot 416 (same obv. die). Good VF, lightly toned, traces of deposits, a few light field marks. Very rare and an attractive example.

From the Menlo Park Collection, purchased from Freeman & Sear, 2002. Ex Classical Numismatic Group 49 (17 March 1999), lot 855.