Impressive Seleukos
I
‘Victory’ Reverse Tetradrachm
174
Kingdom of Syria, Seleukos I Nikator (312-281 BC), Silver Tetradrachm, 17.3g. Mint of Susa, c.303/2 BC.
Head of hero right (assimilating Seleukos I, Alexander the Great and Dionysos), wearing helmet covered
with panther skin and adorned with bull horns and ears. Rev.
ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΣΕΛΕΥΚΟΥ
, Nike standing right,
crowning trophy with wreath, monogram below each wing (Houghton & Lorber, SC 173.4; Kritt Tr.19
(A16/P11); ESM 426; HGC 9). Extremely fine.
$ 11,000
Although Seleukos’s trophy coinage from Susa was inaugurated c.305 BC, Kritt in The Early Seleucid Mint of Susa shows that this
particular variety, ESM 426, along with ESM 424, was struck on a massive scale c.303/2 BC. These coins were struck on such a large
scale to finance Seleukos’s western campaign against Antigonos Monopthalmos and to provide defense of his eastern flank in Persis. The
reverse commemorates Seleukos’s victories in the Upper Satrapies and his subsequent assumption of the royal title c.305/4 BC.
175 176
175
Kingdom of Syria, Antiochos I (281-261 BC), Silver Tetradrachm, 16.86g, 1h. Mint of Magnesia on the
Maiandros. Head of Antiochos I facing right. Rev.
BAΣIΛEΩΣ ANTIOXOΥ
, naked Herakles seated left on
his lion skin, supporting his club which rests on ground, two monograms in exergue (Houghton & Lorber,
SC 318c; HGC 9, 129 (R2); Newell, WSM 1456 var). Struck in high relief, good very fine.
$ 1,500
176
Kingdom of Syria, Antiochos I (281-261 BC), Silver Tetradrachm, 17.01g, 6h. Mint of Seleukeia on the
Tigris. Head of Antiochos I facing right, diademed. Rev.
ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΝΤΙΟΧΟΥ
, Apollo seated left on
omphalos, holding an arrow and bow, AP monogram on left,
ΔΩP
monogram on right (Houghton & Lorber,
SC 379.3d; HGC 9, 128g). In NGC holder graded choice extremely fine, strike 4/5, surface 4/5, struck in
high relief, lightly toned.
$ 1,500
