Nomos 34

BAKTRIA, Greco-Baktrian Kingdom. Diodotos II, circa 235-225 BC. Stater (Gold, 18.5 mm, 8.41 g, 6 h), mint A (Aï Khanoum). Diademed head of Antiochos II to right. Rev. ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΔΙΟΔΟΤΟΥ Zeus Bremetes, seen from behind, advancing to left; with an aegis draped over his extended left arm, and preparing to hurl a thunderbolt from his right hand; in the inner left field, laurel wreath above an eagle standing to left with spread. Bopearachchi 5a. ESM pl. 53, 18. HGC 12, 20. Mitchiner 73. SNG ANS 82. An attractively toned coin with a fine portrait in high relief, rare without the usual test cut on the obverse. Extremely fine.

Property of a Late Collector, ex Tradart 18 November 1993, 149 (94,300 CHF !!! including commissions) and Bank Leu 28 5 May 1981, 208 (CHF 28,000).

The vast majority of the known examples of this coin type have a short test-cut on the back of the king's head. This was apparently done in the mint itself after the coins were struck, and can be explained by the need to satisfy its putative users.