Bactrian Kingdom Tetradrachm Replica (c. 205–190 BC) – Euthydemos I & Heracles

This replica reproduces a silver tetradrachm of Euthydemos I, king of Bactria (c. 230–200 BC), struck around 205–190 BC. As one of the most significant Greco-Bactrian rulers, Euthydemos defended his kingdom against the Seleucid Empire and secured Bactria’s independence.

Obverse (Front)

Portrait of Euthydemos I, wearing a royal diadem. The lifelike Hellenistic style reflects the influence of Greek artistry and the king’s authority as a successor to Alexander’s legacy in the East.

Reverse (Back)

Depicts Heracles seated on a rock, resting on his club, with the inscription ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΕΥΘΥΔΗΜΟΥ (“of King Euthydemos”). Heracles, ancestor of Alexander the Great, symbolizes strength, endurance, and divine favor.

Historical Background

• Euthydemos I ruled the Greco-Bactrian Kingdom, a Hellenistic state formed after Alexander’s eastern conquests.
• Around 208 BC, he faced invasion by the Seleucid king Antiochos III, but successfully resisted after a prolonged siege of the Bactrian capital.
• His survival secured Bactria’s independence and laid the foundation for its flourishing as a powerful center of Hellenistic culture and trade along the Silk Road.
• The coin’s imagery combined Greek heroic myths with local kingship, projecting both legitimacy and divine protection.

Why This Replica is Significant

• Represents the fusion of Greek and Eastern cultures after Alexander’s empire fragmented.
• Features both a real historical king (Euthydemos) and the mythic hero Heracles.
• A faithful reproduction of a coin from one of antiquity’s most fascinating frontier kingdoms.