Lot 90

Ancient, Greco-Bactrian, Diodotos I in the name of Antiochos II, (c. 250 BC), Gold Stater, 8.27 gms, 20.09 mm, Obverse: Bust of Diodotos facing to right, Reverse: Zeus standing to left, hurling thunderboltwith right arm, aegis over left arm, wreath and eagle below left arm, Greek legend reading‘BAΣIΛEΩΣ ANTIOX(OY)’, The Seleucid king Antiochus II appointed a general named Diodotus I as Satrap of Bactria, the easternmost province of his empire, comprising modern Afghanistan, Pakistan, and northern India. Starting circa 256 BC, Diodotus I began to gradually throw off the Seleucid yoke. For about ten years, Diodotus I struck gold and silver coins with his own portrait, but with the name and titles of Antiochus II. Dotted border around, Some encrustation and possibly a die slippage with a minor/usual test cut on obverse, MIG # 66a, SC # 630, very fine to extremely fine, very rare.