BAKTRIA, Greco-Baktrian Kingdom. Antimachos I, circa 180-165 BC. Tetradrachm (Silver, 31 mm, 16.54 g, 11 h), Baktra. Diademed and draped bust of Antimachos I to right, wearing flat topped kausia. Rev. ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΘΕΟΥ - ΑΝΤΙΜΑΧΟΥ Poseidon, nude to the waist, standing facing, holding long trident in his right hand and filleted palm branch in his left; to lower right, monogram. Bopearachchi 1D. HGC 12, 106. SNG ANS 276-7. Harshly cleaned and with some scratches, otherwise, very fine.



The appearance of a kausia, the traditional flat topped Macedonian hat, on Antimachos' coins is remarkable. It represents an appeal to the Macedonian identity of the Greek-speaking settlers in Baktria and attests to their vivid awareness of their descent.