Ancients
BABYLONIA. Alexandrine Empire. Mazaeus, as Satrap (331-328 BC). AV double-daric (21mm, 17.17 gm, 11h). NGC Choice VF 5/5 - 3/5, scratches. Baaltars seated left, head facing, scepter in left hand, eagle, wheat stalk and bunch of grapes on vine in right; dotted border / Lion left, attacking bull left; all within linear square frame. Treasures of Ancient Bactria (Miho Museum, 2002), 44a and b (both ex Mir Zakah II deposit) var. (lion attacking bull to right). For equivalent silver issues of Cilicia, cf. SNG Levante 100-106 and SNG France 2, 330-331.
From a Private Japanese Collection. Ex Heritage Auction 3026 (Long Beach, 25 September 2013), lot 23179.
This extraordinary and large gold piece has been provisionally dated to the transition period between the conquest and consolidation of Alexander the Great's eastern empire. During this time, Alexander employed many of the same provincial rulers, or satraps, who had previously served the Persian King Darius II in the same capacity. Mazaeus, satrap of Cilicia, was among them. Though uninscribed, the design of this piece is virtually identical to coins struck under Mazaeus while he served under Darius. Other "local" Babylonian coins were struck at this time including double-darics featuring the Persian running archer/ king motif.
https://coins.ha.com/itm/ancients/greek/ancients-babylonia-alexandrine-empire-mazaeus-as-satrap-331-328-bc-av-double-daric-21mm-1717-gm-11h-ngc-c/a/3081-32029.s?type=CoinArchives3081
HID02906262019
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Estimate: 10000-15000 USD