BAKTRIA, Greco-Baktrian Kingdom. Eukratides I, circa 170-145 BC. Tetradrachm (Silver, 31 mm, 17.00 g, 12 h), Baktra, circa 170-162. Diademed and draped bust of Eukratides I to right. Rev. BAΣIΛEΩΣ / EΥKΡATIΔOY The Dioskouri galloping to right, each holding spear in his right hand and palm branch in his left; in field to lower right, monogram. Bopearachchi Série 1D. HGC 12, 130. MIG Type 168a. SNG ANS 432. Lustrous and beautifully toned, and with an excellent, almost sculptural portrait struck in incredibly high relief. A few light marks, otherwise, good extremely fine.

This coin and the following lot 341 are identical in type, even down to the monogram, which is why both are assigned to Baktra in the literature. However, the two coins differ significantly in style and craftsmanship: while this piece features a nearly three-dimensional, almost sculptural portrait in exceptionally high relief on a smaller, thick flan, lot 341 is struck on a broad flan with a flat relief. There are also clear stylistic differences, particularly in the portraits and the design of the reverse (notably, the varying depictions of the horse's legs, hooves, and tail). This raises the question of whether the coins truly come from the same mint, or if they might be products of different mints. While stylistic differences could be attributed to different engravers, the technical variations strongly suggest different methods of production, and likely different workshops