Nomos AG
Auction 18 5 May 2019
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PHRYGIA. Apameia. Circa 166-133 BC. Cistophorus (Silver, 29 mm, 12.16 g, 12 h), c. 150/140 BC. Serpent emerging to left from a partially open cista mystica; around, ivy wreath. Rev. Bow in gorytos between two upwardly coiling snakes; to left, monogram of ΠΑ; to right, elephant's head to right. Kleiner & Noe Series 12, 28e. Clear, attractive, nicely struck on a broad flan. Some striking flatness on the reverse, otherwise, extremely fine.
The elephant's head symbol on the reverse is perhaps a reminder of the Seleucid elephants that Antiochos III used at the Battle of Magnesia in 190, when he was defeated by the Romans. He was then, at the Treaty of Apameia of 188, banned from possessing military elephants. It shouldn't be forgotten that elephants were the ancient equivalent of the WW II Tiger tank: of course, against Alexander and against the Roman legions they proved relatively ineffective.
The elephant's head symbol on the reverse is perhaps a reminder of the Seleucid elephants that Antiochos III used at the Battle of Magnesia in 190, when he was defeated by the Romans. He was then, at the Treaty of Apameia of 188, banned from possessing military elephants. It shouldn't be forgotten that elephants were the ancient equivalent of the WW II Tiger tank: of course, against Alexander and against the Roman legions they proved relatively ineffective.