Roma Numismatics Ltd
Auction XV 5 Apr 2018
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Seleukid Empire, Seleukos I Nikator AR Stater. Attic standard. Susa, circa 288/7 BC. Head of Zeus right, wearing laurel wreath / Elephant advancing to right; spearhead above to right, ΠA monogram and AP below. SC 187.1 var. (controls not listed), cf. 179 (controls in ex. on elephant chariot type); ESM -; HGC 9, -. 16.86g, 22mm, 9h.
Very Fine; weight adjustment gouge on obv. Of the greatest rarity; a unique variety of a series for which only 10 specimens are known.
From the collection of A.S., Canada.
Recalling the conclusion of Seleukos' Indian campaign in 303 BC, at which time he exchanged his eastern satrapies in the Indus River Valley for a considerable force of 500 war elephants, and first introduced around the time of the tenth anniversary in c. 295 at Susa (cf. elephant chariot type, SC 177), the related motif seen on the present piece dispenses with the military aspects of the earlier types for a distinctly eastern theme. A unique variety of an extremely rare series, this stater bears the spearhead symbol used at Susa before the introduction of the Seleukid anchor, and control marks in exergue known from the earlier elephant chariot types (cf. SC 179). The specific reason for their production remains unknown however, overshadowed as they are by the more commonly found Baal/Lion staters (cf. SC 88ff), with the suggestion from Newell that they might be a localised trade or temple currency remaining the most likely reasoning posited for both series.
Very Fine; weight adjustment gouge on obv. Of the greatest rarity; a unique variety of a series for which only 10 specimens are known.
From the collection of A.S., Canada.
Recalling the conclusion of Seleukos' Indian campaign in 303 BC, at which time he exchanged his eastern satrapies in the Indus River Valley for a considerable force of 500 war elephants, and first introduced around the time of the tenth anniversary in c. 295 at Susa (cf. elephant chariot type, SC 177), the related motif seen on the present piece dispenses with the military aspects of the earlier types for a distinctly eastern theme. A unique variety of an extremely rare series, this stater bears the spearhead symbol used at Susa before the introduction of the Seleukid anchor, and control marks in exergue known from the earlier elephant chariot types (cf. SC 179). The specific reason for their production remains unknown however, overshadowed as they are by the more commonly found Baal/Lion staters (cf. SC 88ff), with the suggestion from Newell that they might be a localised trade or temple currency remaining the most likely reasoning posited for both series.