★ Rare and unusually well preserved ★

LOCAL ISSUES, Sogdiana. Bukhara. Circa 2nd to 4th centuries AD. Tetradrachm (Silver, 28 mm, 9.34 g, 12 h), imitating Euthydemos I of Baktria (225-220 BC). Parthian-style head of a king to right, wearing diademed and radiate headdress with long locks. Rev. 'mlk' y...' (in blundered Aramaic) Deformed figure of Herakles seated left on trapezoid seat decorated with three pellets, holding club set on his right knee in his right hand and leaning left on seat. Alram 1229. HGC 12, p. 189 (shape of seat). MIG 494. Senior A18.5T (shape of seat). Rare and unusually well preserved. Minor scratches and with some traces of overstriking (?), otherwise, good very fine.

From the collection of Dr. Max Blaschegg (1930-2021, with collector’s ticket), ex Münzen & Medaillen GmbH 40, 4 June 2014, 418, from the collection of T. Voltz, Auctiones 25, 19 June 1995, 1527 and ex H. P. R. Frey, 24 September 1954, 592.

Ultimately derived from Euthydemos' seated Herakles type, the appearance of a Parthian-style portrait on the obverse of this issue indicates a much later struck date than is commonly assumed. It clearly reflects the long-lasting influence of Greco-Baktrian coinage and culture on Central Asia after the fall of the kingdom in circa 130 BC.