Roma Numismatics Ltd
Auction XVII 28 Mar 2019
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Seleukid Empire, Seleukos I Nikator AR Tetradrachm. Susa, circa 300-294 BC. Head of Seleukos I right, wearing helmet covered with panther skin and adorned with bull's ears and horns, panther skin tied around neck / Nike standing right, wearing peplos, crowning trophy of Macedonian arms set on sapling tree, from which branch sprouts near base; ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΣΕΛΕΥΚΟΥ around; AP below left wing, monogram in lower middle field. SC 173.15; ESMS 106; HGC 9, 20; SNG Spaer -; Houghton -. 17.19g, 26mm, 2h.
Good Extremely Fine. Rare variety.
The trophy series of Seleukos at Susa was issued over an extended period from circa 305 to around 295 and used 67 obverse dies and at least 93 reverses that we are aware of. Previously, the type was generally assumed to commemorate the victories of Seleukos as he pushed eastwards into India, occupying territory as far as the Indus, and eventually waging war against the Mauryan Empire (see Kritt, The Early Seleukid Mint of Susa, 1997). This campaign against Chandragupta Maurya was, however, a failure and while there is no record of what transpired to prevent Seleukos achieving his aims, the two leaders eventually reached an accord whereby Seleukos ceded some of his easternmost territory in exchange for a gift of 500 war elephants. The massive beasts were to play a significant role in the coming wars of the Diadochi, in particular at the Battle of Ipsos in 301 BC.
A later date is preferred for the start of the Trophy coinage following recent analysis of the trophy's iconography which led to the suggestion that it began circa 300 BC, following the Battle of Ipsos and the defeat of Antigonos I Monophthalmos. The trophy is unquestionably built from Macedonian arms, as evidenced by the Vergina Sun (or Argead Star) clearly emblazoned on the shield (see Panagiotis Iossif, "Les monnaies de Suse frappées par Séleucos Ier: Une nouvelle approche" in QT XXXIII [2004], pp. 249–71) and therefore cannot represent an eastern victory, particularly given the inconclusive nature of Seleukos' campaign against Chandragupta and its stale conclusion.
There has been debate surrounding the identity of the portrait with three possible figures having been suggested; Dionysos, Alexander and Seleukos. Iossif argues for a combination of all three into a singular portrait since he argues that the obverse portrait could signifiy Seleukos' eastern victories, in contrast to the reverse which commemorates his western victory over Antigonos. The assimilation of the features of Dionysos and Alexander is therefore fitting since Dionysos was the first (albeit mythological) conqueror of India and Alexander the second. Thus, the Trophy coinage celebrates both Seleukos' victory which ended the Fourth War of the Diadochi and his successful occupation of eastern territory.
Good Extremely Fine. Rare variety.
The trophy series of Seleukos at Susa was issued over an extended period from circa 305 to around 295 and used 67 obverse dies and at least 93 reverses that we are aware of. Previously, the type was generally assumed to commemorate the victories of Seleukos as he pushed eastwards into India, occupying territory as far as the Indus, and eventually waging war against the Mauryan Empire (see Kritt, The Early Seleukid Mint of Susa, 1997). This campaign against Chandragupta Maurya was, however, a failure and while there is no record of what transpired to prevent Seleukos achieving his aims, the two leaders eventually reached an accord whereby Seleukos ceded some of his easternmost territory in exchange for a gift of 500 war elephants. The massive beasts were to play a significant role in the coming wars of the Diadochi, in particular at the Battle of Ipsos in 301 BC.
A later date is preferred for the start of the Trophy coinage following recent analysis of the trophy's iconography which led to the suggestion that it began circa 300 BC, following the Battle of Ipsos and the defeat of Antigonos I Monophthalmos. The trophy is unquestionably built from Macedonian arms, as evidenced by the Vergina Sun (or Argead Star) clearly emblazoned on the shield (see Panagiotis Iossif, "Les monnaies de Suse frappées par Séleucos Ier: Une nouvelle approche" in QT XXXIII [2004], pp. 249–71) and therefore cannot represent an eastern victory, particularly given the inconclusive nature of Seleukos' campaign against Chandragupta and its stale conclusion.
There has been debate surrounding the identity of the portrait with three possible figures having been suggested; Dionysos, Alexander and Seleukos. Iossif argues for a combination of all three into a singular portrait since he argues that the obverse portrait could signifiy Seleukos' eastern victories, in contrast to the reverse which commemorates his western victory over Antigonos. The assimilation of the features of Dionysos and Alexander is therefore fitting since Dionysos was the first (albeit mythological) conqueror of India and Alexander the second. Thus, the Trophy coinage celebrates both Seleukos' victory which ended the Fourth War of the Diadochi and his successful occupation of eastern territory.