BAKTRIA, Greco-Baktrian Kingdom. Agathokles, circa 185-180 BC. Tetradrachm (Silver, 32 mm, 16.81 g, 12 h), Baktra. Diademed and draped bust of Agathokles to right. Rev. BAΣIΛEΩΣ - ΑΓΑΘΟΚΛΕOYΣ Zeus standing front, holding figure of Hekate in his outstretched right hand and scepter his in left; Hekate holds torch in each hand; in inner left field, monogram. Bopearachchi 1D. HGC 12, 81. MIG 137a. SNG ANS 230. An exceptional example with a magnificent portrait struck in very high relief. Very light roughness and with a tiny flan fault on the reverse, otherwise, good extremely fine.




Agathokles is only known from his coinage, which is remarkable for his highly interesting pedigree issues naming Alexander 'the Great', Diodotos I, Diodotos II, Euthydemos I, Demetrios and Pantaleon. Because of these and the fact that Agathokles was one of just three kings to strike cupro-nickel coins, the others being Euthydemos II and Pantaleon, we can discern that he was a contemporary of these two. In what way they were related is unknown, although similarities in the portraits have led to the suggestion that Agathokles may have been a brother of Pantaleon.