Roma Numismatics Ltd
Auction XIII 23 March 2017
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Seleukid Empire, Antiochos I Soter AR Tetradrachm. Seleukeia, circa 281-261 BC. Diademed head right / BAΣIΛEΩΣ ANTIOXOY, Apollo seated to left on omphalos, holding arrow and resting left hand on bow which is set on ground; monogram in each outer field. Newell, ESM 177; SC 379.6; HGC 9, 128g. 17.14g, 30mm, 7h.
Extremely Fine. Well struck and centred; engraved in very fine style and very well preserved for the type.
Ex Numismatik Lanz 112, 25 November 2002, lot 229;
Ex Münzen und Medaillen Basel list 530, 1990, no. 4.
Antiochos I was the son of Seleukos I and Apama, Seleukos' Persian wife. His date of birth is unknown, but was probably circa 320 BC as he was old enough to lead the Seleukid cavalry at the battle of Ipsos in 301. When Seleukos was assassinated in 281, Antiochos was probably in Ekbatana, where he had maintained court ruling the eastern satrapies on behalf of his father since 294.
With his accession, Antiochos faced immediate attacks by Ptolemy II in Asia Minor and revolts of the cities of Syria. He left his eldest son, Seleukos, as governor of the eastern satrapies and marched west to meet the threats, which he soon overcame. However, it was not long before his attention was once again drawn to disturbances, this time from a menacing force of warlike Celtic tribes that had crossed over the Hellespont in the winter of 278/7 and invaded Asia Minor, and also shortly thereafter, renewed hostilities with Ptolemy II (First Syrian War, 274-271 BC). After defeating the Celts and receiving the title of Saviour (Soter) by the Greek cities of Asia Minor, Antiochos concluded an uneasy truce with Ptolemy which allowed him to focus on public relations and administrative work in Asia Minor. His subsequent reign was relatively peaceful, with the exceptions of sedition by his son and co-regent, Seleukos, whom he was forced to execute and replace with his younger son, the future Antiochos II, and the loss of northwest Asia Minor to Eumenes I of Pergamon.
The figure of Apollo seated on the omphalos gained prominence under Antiochos, publicizing his supposed descent from the god, and became the characteristic reverse type for most Seleukid precious metal coinage down through the reign of Antiochos IV.
Extremely Fine. Well struck and centred; engraved in very fine style and very well preserved for the type.
Ex Numismatik Lanz 112, 25 November 2002, lot 229;
Ex Münzen und Medaillen Basel list 530, 1990, no. 4.
Antiochos I was the son of Seleukos I and Apama, Seleukos' Persian wife. His date of birth is unknown, but was probably circa 320 BC as he was old enough to lead the Seleukid cavalry at the battle of Ipsos in 301. When Seleukos was assassinated in 281, Antiochos was probably in Ekbatana, where he had maintained court ruling the eastern satrapies on behalf of his father since 294.
With his accession, Antiochos faced immediate attacks by Ptolemy II in Asia Minor and revolts of the cities of Syria. He left his eldest son, Seleukos, as governor of the eastern satrapies and marched west to meet the threats, which he soon overcame. However, it was not long before his attention was once again drawn to disturbances, this time from a menacing force of warlike Celtic tribes that had crossed over the Hellespont in the winter of 278/7 and invaded Asia Minor, and also shortly thereafter, renewed hostilities with Ptolemy II (First Syrian War, 274-271 BC). After defeating the Celts and receiving the title of Saviour (Soter) by the Greek cities of Asia Minor, Antiochos concluded an uneasy truce with Ptolemy which allowed him to focus on public relations and administrative work in Asia Minor. His subsequent reign was relatively peaceful, with the exceptions of sedition by his son and co-regent, Seleukos, whom he was forced to execute and replace with his younger son, the future Antiochos II, and the loss of northwest Asia Minor to Eumenes I of Pergamon.
The figure of Apollo seated on the omphalos gained prominence under Antiochos, publicizing his supposed descent from the god, and became the characteristic reverse type for most Seleukid precious metal coinage down through the reign of Antiochos IV.