Baktria, Pre-Seleukid Era. Uncertain Local Issues. Circa 305-294 BC. AR Obol. Extremely Rare and Superb example.
£697.00
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Baktria Pre-Seleukid Era. Uncertain Local Issues. Circa 305-294 BC. AR Obol.
0.32gm 7.23mm Uncertain mint in the Oxus region.
Head of Kybele or Tyche right wearing mural crown / Eagle standing left head right with wings spread. Zeno #92521 CNG Triton XIV lot 409 Extremely Rare and Superb example.
Notes:
The presence of Kybele/Tyche on a coin this far east and at this time is
unprecedented. This particular coin was reportedly unearthed in the
region of ancient Baktria a transfer from the West cannot be ruled out
although no similar coins can be found there either. Stylistically the
eagle is consistent with the Sophytes coinage as is general fabric of
the flan. A possible explanation for the appearance of Kybele/Tyche on a
Baktrian coin of this period may be the numerous cities founded during
Alexander the Great's eastern campaigns. These cities were populated
with both soldiers and citizens who had accompanied Alexander many of
them came from Asia Minor where a number of cities were using similar
Kybele/Tyche types at the same time (for example Mytilene in Lesbos
Plakia in Mysia and Nagidos in Cilicia). After Alexander's death many
of his new cities especially those along the Sogdian borderlands were
attacked and razed by the indigenous tribes. In this context of strife
the appearance of a Western city goddess and protectoress would not be
unusual.
unprecedented. This particular coin was reportedly unearthed in the
region of ancient Baktria a transfer from the West cannot be ruled out
although no similar coins can be found there either. Stylistically the
eagle is consistent with the Sophytes coinage as is general fabric of
the flan. A possible explanation for the appearance of Kybele/Tyche on a
Baktrian coin of this period may be the numerous cities founded during
Alexander the Great's eastern campaigns. These cities were populated
with both soldiers and citizens who had accompanied Alexander many of
them came from Asia Minor where a number of cities were using similar
Kybele/Tyche types at the same time (for example Mytilene in Lesbos
Plakia in Mysia and Nagidos in Cilicia). After Alexander's death many
of his new cities especially those along the Sogdian borderlands were
attacked and razed by the indigenous tribes. In this context of strife
the appearance of a Western city goddess and protectoress would not be
unusual.