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Baktria, Diodotus I as Satrap for Antiochus II Theos, c. 255 - 250 B.C.
Diodotus I was the Seleukid governor of Baktro-Sogdiana early in Antiochos II's reign. His first coinage was issued with the Seleukid monarch's portrait. He then issued coins, like this one, with his own portrait, yet retaining the name of Antiochos as king. Diodotus' territory was so remote that he was king in all but title. About 250 B.C., he took the title too and issued coins as king in his own name (BAΣIΛΕΩΣ ΔIOΔOTOY). Recent scholarship shows that Ai Khanoum (Greek name uncertain) was the principal mint of the region, located on the frontier between Afghanistan and the former Soviet Union.
SH21940. Gold stater, Houghton-Lorber 629.1, Newell ESM 713, SGCV II 7497, EF, Ai Khanoum mint, weight 8.375g, maximum diameter 18.4mm, die axis 180o, c. 255 - 250 B.C.; obverse diademed head of middle-aged Diodotus I right; reverse BAΣIΛEΩΣ ANTIOXOY, naked Zeus striding left, aegis over extended left arm, about to hurl fulmen with raised right arm, eagle and N in field; fantastic specimen, with mint luster, struck from the finest early Hellenistic style dies, and not marred by the usual test cut!; rare; SOLD
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