Coin of Eukratides I

170–145 BC

Coin of Eukratides I, 170–145 BC. Afghanistan, Bactria, c. 2nd century BC. Silver; diameter: 3.3 x 0.5 cm (1 5/16 x 3/16 in.). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Gift of Dr. Norman Zaworski 2011.211 Eukratides, a successor of Alexander in Bactria, wears a helmet with bull's ear and horn, like military leaders from Macedon, Alexander's homeland in the north of Greece. On the reverse Castor and Pollux, sons of Zeus, ride horseback. Because Alexander also was considered to be an offspring of Zeus, Eukratides referenced his link to Alexander by including Castor and Pollux on his coin.