BAKTRIA, Greco-Baktrian Kingdom. Euthydemos II, circa 185-180 BC. Tetradrachm (Silver, 36 mm, 16.91 g, 12 h), Baktra. Diademed and draped bust of Euthydemos II to right. Rev. BAΣΙΛΕΩΣ - EYΘYΔHMOY Youthful Herakles, wearing wreath, standing facing, holding wreath in his right hand and club and lion skin in his left; in inner left field, monogram. Bopearachchi 1C. HGC 12, 72. MIG 113d. SNG ANS 216. A wonderful example, boldly struck in high relief and perfectly centered on a very broad flan. Some faint deposits, otherwise, extremely fine.



Euthydemos II is only known from his impressive coinage. He was likely the son of Euthydemos I, a native of Magnesia on the Maeander in Ionia and ruler of Baktria in circa 225-200 BC, and the brother of Demetrios I (circa 200-185 BC). The Euthydemids closely aligned themselves with Herakles, who appears consistently on their silver coinage: in the case of Euthydemos I, as a seated figure placing his club on his knee, and on his son's issues, in the guise of a standing victorious athlete holding a wreath and wearing another. This is one of the finest surviving examples of the latter, very well struck and perfectly centered on an exceptionally broad and medallic flan.