Roma Numismatics Ltd
Auction X 27 September 2015
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Kings of Elymais, Kamnaskires III with Anzaze AR Tetradrachm. Circa 82-75 BC. Conjoined busts left of Kamnaskires and Queen Anzaze; monogram above anchor symbol behind; countermark: Nike standing left / Zeus seated left, holding sceptre and Nike, who crowns him, MAKEΔΩN before; IΛCIΛEΩC KΛMNΛIKIPOY KΛI IΛIIΛIICHC ANZAZH (BAΣIΛEΩΣ KAMNΣKIROY KAI BAΣIΛIΣΣHΣ ANZAZHΣ) around, date in exergue. BMC 245/1; Alram 454. 15.91g, 30mm, 12h.
Extremely Fine, struck on sound metal and exceptionally well preserved and detailed for the issue. Very Rare.
The Kingdom of Elymais may be simply described as the land between Babylonia and Persis, though very little is known today of it or its kings. For approximately a century after the disintegration of Alexander's empire, the principle city of this region, Susa, and the surrounding lands were ruled by the Seleukids. After Seleukia itself, Susa was the second largest city in Seleukid control. Even after the Parthian conquest of the region, Susa retained a considerable degree of autonomy, maintaining its Greek city-state organisation and eventually gaining apparent independence in 147 BC under Kamnaskires I Megas Soter, whose coins depict him as a Greek prince in Seleukid style, with Greek legends. Over time however, the Greek influence in Elymais appears to have significantly diminished, with both Greek legends and portraiture becoming increasingly blundered, until finally we see the sixth king of this dynasty, Kamnaskires III and his wife and co-regent Anzazes, in distinctly Parthian style.
Extremely Fine, struck on sound metal and exceptionally well preserved and detailed for the issue. Very Rare.
The Kingdom of Elymais may be simply described as the land between Babylonia and Persis, though very little is known today of it or its kings. For approximately a century after the disintegration of Alexander's empire, the principle city of this region, Susa, and the surrounding lands were ruled by the Seleukids. After Seleukia itself, Susa was the second largest city in Seleukid control. Even after the Parthian conquest of the region, Susa retained a considerable degree of autonomy, maintaining its Greek city-state organisation and eventually gaining apparent independence in 147 BC under Kamnaskires I Megas Soter, whose coins depict him as a Greek prince in Seleukid style, with Greek legends. Over time however, the Greek influence in Elymais appears to have significantly diminished, with both Greek legends and portraiture becoming increasingly blundered, until finally we see the sixth king of this dynasty, Kamnaskires III and his wife and co-regent Anzazes, in distinctly Parthian style.