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Ancient Greek Coins
R
EMARKABLE
Q
UALITY
S
ELEUKOS
I N
IKATOR
. S
ILVER
T
ETRADRACHM
, 312-281 BC
Enlargement
3061
Seleukid Kingdom. Seleukos I Nikator. Silver Tetradrachm (17.01 g), 312-281 BC
. Susa, ca. 305/4-294 BC. Head of hero (Alexan-
der or Seleukos?) right, wearing helmet covered with panther's skin and adorned with ear and horns of a bull.
Reverse:
, Nike standing right, crowning trophy with wreath; below left wing, monogram; in field between Nike and trophy,
. SC 173.13;
Kritt, Early Tr.91; HGC 9, 20. A marvelous example boldly struck in high relief. Nicely toned.
Extremely Fine
.
It is readily apparent that the reverse design of this coin, showing Nike placing a wreath upon a trophy commemorates recent victories by
Seleukos in the Upper Satrapies and his assumption of the royal title in 305 BC. What is less certain is the identification of the head on the
obverse. Hadley argues for an assimilation of Alexander the Great with Dionysos, while Hoover sees a portrait of Seleukos himself, with the
divine attributes of Dionysos. For full discussion, see R. A. Hadley, "Seleucus, Dionysus, or Alexander?"
NC
1974, pp. 9-13, and Oliver D.
Hoover, "The identity of the helmeted head on the Victory coinage of Susa,"
SNR
81, 2002, pp. 51-60.
Estimated Value ............................................................................................................................................................. $7,500 - 10,000
M
AGNIFICENT
S
ELEUKOS
I N
IKATOR
. G
OLD
S
TATER
, 312-281 BC
Enlargement
3062
Seleukid Kingdom. Seleukos I Nikator. Gold Stater (8.6g), 312-281 BC
. Babylon I, in the name of Alexander III of Macedon, ca. 311-
300 BC. Head of Athena right, wearing crested Corinthian helmet with coiled serpent on bowl.
Reverse:
-
[
]
[
], Nike
standing facing, head left, holding wreath and stylis; below left wing, H; below right wing, monogram in wreath. SC 81.7; Price 3707; HGC 9,
3a. Lustrous with rose color highlights.
Nearly Mint State
.
Estimated Value ............................................................................................................................................................... $5,000 - 6,000
