| Issuer |
Sophytes's Satrapy
(Bactria and Arachosia) |
|---|---|
| Satrap |
Sophytes (305 BC - 294 BC)
|
| Type | Standard circulation coins |
| Years | 315 BC - 305 BC |
| Value | Stater (20) |
| Currency | Drachm |
| Composition | Gold |
| Weight | 8.58 g |
| Diameter | 19 mm |
| Shape | Round (irregular) |
| Technique | Hammered |
| Orientation | Medal alignment ↑↑ |
| Demonetized | Yes |
| Number | N# 466516 |
Head of Sophytes right, wearing laureate crested Attic helmet, cheek flap decorated with wing, the crest decorated with guilloche pattern.
Kerykeion with Herakles knot decoration and dragon head terminals.
Script: Greek
Lettering: SWFUTOU
Translation: Sophytes
References:
Bopearachchi & Flandrin, ‘Le Portrait d’Alexandre le Grand’, 200-201ff (this coin)
Bopearachchi, Notae 4: Sur les pas d’Alexandre, 16 (this coin)
Bopearachchi, “Royaumes grecs en Afghanistan. Nouvelles données“, in L’art d’Afghanistan de la préhistoire à nos jours, CERDAF, Actes d’une Journée d’étude, UNESCO, 11th March 2005, Paris, p. 60-1 (this coin)
Exhibited at Musée Archéologique Henri Prades – Lattes, April-August 2003.
This coin is a hoarde find, and amongst the rarest of Sophytes Issues. It is still debated as to who Sophytes is, with a number of theories and time periods that are debated, including a Greek Mercenary captain, an Indian warlord who fought the Mauryans, an Indo-Greek usurper, an Alexandrian Satrap, etc. There are some who disagree with this issue being an authentic issue, but most sources back its authenticity. Unique thus far. FDC, very important historically and numismatically.
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| Date | VG | F | VF | XF | AU | UNC | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Undetermined | |||||||||||||||
| ND (315 BC - 305 BC) |
|
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No member from this site currently wants to exchange it.
| Pictures | Sale | Date | Grade | Sold price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Roma Numismatics Auction 2 Lot 366
|
2 Oct 2011 | UNC | Unsold | ||
| © Roma Numismatics Limited | |||||