Sale: Triton VIII, Lot: 634. Estimate $3000.  Closing Date: Monday, 10 January 2005.  Sold For $3500. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

KINGS of BAKTRIA. Agathokles. Circa 185-170 BC. AR Tetradrachm (16.47 gm, 12h). Commemorative issue struck for Diodotos I in the name of Antiochos II of Syria. ANTIOCOU NIKATOROS, diademed head of Diodotos I right / BASILEUONTOS DIKAIOU AGAQOKLEOUS, Zeus advancing left, brandishing thunderbolt in right hand, aegis draped over extended left arm; in inner left field, wreath above eagle standing left; monogram in inner right field. Bopearachchi Série 13A; SNG ANS 258 var. (monogram); MIG Type 143 var. (same); MACW -. Good VF, toned, slight roughness. Very rare. ($3000)

Ex Classical Numismatic Group 36 (5-6 December 1995), lot 2120.

With the exception of the ANS catalog, all references incorrectly name the obverse portrait as Antiochos II. A comparison with tetradrachms of Antiochos and Diodotos I, however, clearly reveals that the portrait is that of the latter. As these "pedigree" coins employ the commemorated king's coin types, it is not surprising that this issue for Diodotos I has the name of Antiochos on the obverse, as all of his lifetime coinage was issued in the Seleukid king's name (see Kritt, Dynastic Transitions in the Coinage of Bactria, pp. 7-11). It would also be odd that Agathokles would trace his lineage through the Seleukids, perpetual opponents of the Baktrians. Thus, the "pedigree" series follows the logical line of succession through Diodotos' first coinage, in the name of Antiochos, and then to Alexander III of Macedon (see previous lot).

See lot 633 for more information on the "pedigree" coinage of Agathokles.