BAKTRIA, Greco-Baktrian Kingdom. Heliokles I Dikaios. Circa 145-130 BC. AR Tetradrachm (35mm, 16.12 g, 12h). Good VF.

Keystone 17 – The W. Toliver Besson Collection
Lot: 57. Estimated: $ 300

Oriental Greek, Silver

Sold For $ 1 300. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

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BAKTRIA, Greco-Baktrian Kingdom. Heliokles I Dikaios. Circa 145-130 BC. AR Tetradrachm (35mm, 16.12 g, 12h). Diademed and draped bust right / Zeus standing facing, holding thunderbolt and scepter; ΠΓ in exergue. Bopearachchi 1J; SNG ANS 636; HGC 12, 169. Toned, area of double strike on reverse. Good VF.

From the W. Toliver Besson Collection. Ex Heritage inventory 229319001.

Heliokles I appears to have been the son of Eukratides I Megas, the long-reigning Greco-Baktrian ruler who brought the eastern kingdom to its zenith. The few near-contemporary records we have state Eukratides was slain by his own son, but neglect to mention the parricide’s name, leaving open the possibility that it was another son, possibly one Plato, whose short-lived coinage seems to be contemporary with that of Heliokles. Whichever son did the deed, the death of Eukratides seems to have opened the floodgates of invasion, for within 15 years the Greco-Baktrian Kingdom ceased to exist, although the neighboring Indo-Greek kingdoms managed to hold out for another century and a half.

Closing Date and Time: 22 July 2026 at 10:18:40 ET.



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