Persian Treasury
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Seleucid Persia
Greco-Bactrian Tetradrachm of Diodotus I
Diodotus broke from the Seleucids to found the Greco-Bactrian kingdom — Hellenistic coinage striking deep into eastern Iran.
| Date | c. 250 BCE |
|---|---|
| Ruler / issuer | Diodotus I (Greco-Bactrian) |
| Mint | Bactra |
| Metal | Silver / gold |
| Weight | ~16.8 g |
| Era | Seleucid Persia (312 – 141 BCE) |
| Region | Iran, Mesopotamia, Bactria |
Obverse and reverse
Obverse
Diademed head of the king right.
Reverse
Zeus advancing left hurling thunderbolt; Greek legend ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΔΙΟΔΟΤΟΥ.
Historical context — Seleucid Persia
After Alexander's death, Seleucus I and successors struck Hellenistic tetradrachms across Persian mints — Susa, Ecbatana, Persepolis, Seleucia-on-the-Tigris.
Read the full Seleucid Persia essay →Frequently asked
- What is the Greco-Bactrian Tetradrachm of Diodotus I?
- Diodotus broke from the Seleucids to found the Greco-Bactrian kingdom — Hellenistic coinage striking deep into eastern Iran. It was struck in c. 250 BCE at Bactra under Diodotus I (Greco-Bactrian).
- What metal and weight is it?
- Silver / gold, weighing approximately ~16.8 g.
- What designs appear on it?
- Obverse: Diademed head of the king right. Reverse: Zeus advancing left hurling thunderbolt; Greek legend ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΔΙΟΔΟΤΟΥ.