BAKTRIA, Greco-Baktrian Kingdom. Eukratides II, circa 145-140 BC. Tetradrachm (Silver, 33 mm, 16.87 g, 11 h), Baktra. Diademed and draped bust of Eukratides II to right. Rev. ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ - ΕΥΚΡΑΤΙΔΟΥ Apollo standing front, head to left, holding arrow in his right hand and bow set on ground in his left; below, monogram. Bopearachchi 1P var. (monogram in left field). HGC 12, 161 var. (monogram in left field). MIG 164b var. (monogram in left field). Apparently unpublished with the monogram in the exergue. A boldly struck coin with a particularly expressive portrait. Nearly extremely fine.


If Eukratides II was indeed the murderer of Eukratides I, he did not enjoy his newly gained power for long, as the late 140s and 130s saw invasions of Baktria by the nomadic Saka and Yuezhi. It is likely that the king's own downfall was connected to the Barbaric pressure; in any case, the great Greek city of Aï Khanoum (perhaps Alexandria on the Oxus and/or Eukratideia?) was captured and burned down a first time in circa 145 BC, and permanently abandoned after another invasion in circa 130 BC.