Silver Tetradrachm of Eukratides (Eucratides), Bactria, Afghanistan, 16.34 g.
Title
Silver Tetradrachm of Eukratides (Eucratides), Bactria, Afghanistan, 16.34 g.
Creator
Eukratides (Eucratides), Bactria, Afghanistan
Date
after 170 BCE
Description
Obverse: Bust of Eukratides facing right, wearing cuirass, diadem, and crested helmet with ear and horn of bull.
Reverse: Dioskouroi on horses rearing to right; monogram in right field; ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥ ΕΥΚΡΑΤΙΟΔΟΥ: of the Great King Eukratides.
Style/Period: Hellenistic
Bactria was a partly Hellenized country bordering India that had been part of Seleukid territory but that gained its independence c. 250 BCE Eukratides gained control of Bactria in 170 BCE by raising a revolt against the Euthydemid dynasty. He established himself as king of "the thousand cities of Bactria" and set out to enlarge his kingdom in all directions. While returning from one of his campaigns, he was killed by one of his sons, who seized the throne.
The Bactrian coins are known for their strongly realistic portraits and this tetradrachm of Eukratides is no exception. He is depicted as a formidable warrior, wearing a cuirass and a bronze helmet over his diadem. The helmet has the bull's ear and horn that appeared on the leopard-skin helmet of Seleukos I (see 91.089) and that may have been meant to allude to descent from the Seleukids. His features are individualized, his expression stern. On the reverse, the Dioskouroi, Greek heroes noted for their horsemanship and prowess in battle, are shown charging with spears raised.
-- Kristin J. Brainard Addington, LU '94
Bibliography: N. Davis and C.M. Kraay, The Hellenistic Kingdoms: Portrait Coins and History (London 1973) 238-239.
The Bactrian coins are known for their strongly realistic portraits and this tetradrachm of Eukratides is no exception. He is depicted as a formidable warrior, wearing a cuirass and a bronze helmet over his diadem. The helmet has the bull's ear and horn that appeared on the leopard-skin helmet of Seleukos I (see 91.089) and that may have been meant to allude to descent from the Seleukids. His features are individualized, his expression stern. On the reverse, the Dioskouroi, Greek heroes noted for their horsemanship and prowess in battle, are shown charging with spears raised.
-- Kristin J. Brainard Addington, LU '94
Bibliography: N. Davis and C.M. Kraay, The Hellenistic Kingdoms: Portrait Coins and History (London 1973) 238-239.
Source
Former collection of Ottilia Buerger. Bought from Coin Galleries, August 15, 1961.
Identifier
91.095
Rights
Wriston Art Center Galleries, Lawrence University, Appleton, WI,wriston-gallery@lawrence.edu,920-832-6890
Subject
Hellenistic, Eukratides, cuirass, diadem, helmet, horn, Dioskouroi, horse, Eukratides, Eucratides, Bactria, Afghanistan
Files
Citation
Eukratides (Eucratides), Bactria, Afghanistan, “Silver Tetradrachm of Eukratides (Eucratides), Bactria, Afghanistan, 16.34 g.,” Lawrence University Classics Department & Ottilia Buerger Coin Collections, accessed November 5, 2026, https://thor.lawrence.edu/omeka/buerger/items/show/227.