★ Boasting a Marvellous Portrait ★

ANCIENT GREECE. GRECO-BAKTRIAN KINGDOM. Eukratides II 'Soter'.
Silver Tetradrachm, circa 145-140 BC.
Obv: diademed and draped bust right; all within bead-and-reel border. Rev: BAΣIΛEΩΣ EYKPATIΔOY, Apollo standing left, holding arrow in right hand and grounded bow with left; monogram to inner left.

Mint State; an exquisite specimen - subtly toned and boasting a marvellous portrait .

Eukratides II 'Soter,' a Greco-Baktrian king of the 2nd century BC, was likely the successor and son of Eucratides I 'Megas,' although direct evidence of their relationship is lacking. His ascent to power occurred after the death of his father, the last major ruler of the Greco-Baktrian Kingdom and, according to the historian Justin, Eukratides II committed patricide by orchestrating his father’s assassination as he returned from an Indian campaign. Justin provides graphic and macabre detail of the event, recounting how Eukratides II ran over his father's body with his chariot post-assassination, subsequently leaving the corpse of the renowned king unburied (Histoires Philippiques, 41.6). Eukratides II's subsequent adoption of the title 'Soter' (meaning 'Saviour') indicates his efforts to legitimise his rule. This was especially pertinent given that he was but one of three kings - Plato and Heliocles I being the others - who claimed the throne during the chaotic and poorly documented period following the death of Eukratides I.

Ex Professor Shir Mohammad Collection, Roma Numismatics Ltd, Auction XXIII (24/3/2022), lot 444 (hammer: £2,800).

Reference: Bopearachchi-1H; SNG ANS-619; HGC 12-161.
Die Axis: 10h.
Diameter: 33 mm.
Weight: 16.90 g.