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BAKTRIA, Greco-Baktrian Kingdom. Demetrios I Aniketos. Circa 200-185 BC. AR Tetradrachm (36mm, 16.81 g, 12h). Diademed and draped bust right, wearing elephant skin headdress / BAΣIΛEYΩΣ to right, ΔHMHTPIOY to left, Herakles standing facing, crowning himself, holding club and lion skin; monogram to inner left. Bopearachchi 1F; cf. Bopearachchi & Rahman 124 (illustrated example is fourrée); MPHB Group IIB, dies 21/57 (unlisted die combination); SNG ANS 190; MIG Type 103c; HGC 12, 63. Well struck. In NGC encapsulation 3989727-002, graded MS, Strike: 5/5, Surface: 4/5.
From the Melinda Collection.
Demetrios, son of Euthydemos I, succeeded to the Greco-Baktrian throne circa 200 BC, probably after a period of joint rule with his father. In his account of the campaigns of Antiochos III, Polybios mentions that the Seleukid king was impressed with the qualities of Demetrios and betrothed one of his own daughters, named Laodike, to him. A Greek inscription discovered in Tadjikistan, dated to circa 200 BC, identifies Euthydemos as “greatest of kings” and names Demetrios as “his son, the glorious, victorious and remarkable.” A period of turmoil in the Mauryan Kingdom of India apparently encouraged Demetrios to launch an invasion of northern India, conquering a huge swath to the north of the Peninsula and establishing the basis for future Greek rule in the region. His coins show him wearing an elaborate headdress in the form of an elephant’s head, including trunk and tusks. This is not just a reference to his Indian conquests, but also an homage to Alexander the Great, the first Westerner to enter India. The figure of Herakles crowning himself on the reverse alludes to tales of the demigod hero’s travels to India. His adopted epithet of Aniketos (“Invincible”) was apparently accurate, as he appears never to have been defeated in battle.
The final winners of all Triton XXV lots will be determined at the live public sale that will be held on 11-12 January 2022. Triton XXV – Session Two – Greek Coinage (Part 2) through Roman Provincial Coinage will be held Tuesday afternoon, 11 January 2022 beginning at 2:00 PM ET.
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