Stater - Sophytes

Features

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

Obverse

Head of Sophytes right, wearing laureate crested Attic helmet, cheek flap decorated with wing, the crest decorated with guilloche pattern.

Reverse

Kerykeion with Herakles knot decoration and dragon head terminals.

Script: Greek

Lettering: SWFUTOU

Translation: Sophytes

Comments

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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