SELEUKID EMPIRE. Alexander I Balas. 152-145 B.C. Æ. 2.5 gm. 14 mm. Antioch on the Orontes mint. Head of Dionysos right, wreathed with ivy / Elephant standing left; AY monogram to right; ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ. SC 1791.1a. HGC 9, 919. Good Very Fine; glossy dark brown patina; a bit of light porosity; good style, with a pleasing elephant. Well centered and struck.

Ex Elsen 59 (18 September 1999) lot 167.

“The Seleukid Empire was the largest of the successor states carved from the short-lived empire of Alexander the Great, and arguably the most culturally diverse. Over nearly two and a half centuries it produced an astonishing volume and variety of coinage...from mints scattered across its vast expanse.” (Seleucid Coins: A Comprehensive Catalogue, Volume I, by Arthur Houghton and Catharine Lorber with Brian Kritt.) Lots 68-80 mark the beginning of our offering of a collection of Seleukid coins which we will continue in succeeding sales. We begin with tetradrachms from several different mints of Seleukos I, who founded the Seleukid dynasty which ruled until Pompey made Syria a Roman province in 63 B.C. He was succeeded by his son Antiochos I Soter, who was followed by Antiochos II Theos, and so on. We offer examples both in the types of Alexander, and with their portraits. Sprinkled throughout are a number of interesting bronzes.