Nomos AG
obolos 23 12 Jun 2022
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SELEUKID KINGS OF SYRIA. Antiochos III 'the Great', 223-187 BC. (Bronze, 18 mm, 7.63 g, 12 h), associated with the Fifth Syrian War, imitating an uncertain military mint in Coele-Syria, c. 202 or later. Laureate(?) head of Antiochos III, as Apollo, to right. Rev. ΒΑΣΙ ΑNΤΙOΧΟΥ (or similar) Elephant, with mahout upon its back, standing right; behind, tripod; c/m: Seleukid anchor within rectangular incuse; below, horse's head right. Cf. HGC 9, 469. Cf. SC 1085. A very rare and crude issue, yet highly interesting. Dark brown patina. Very good/good fine.
From the J. Metzger Collection.
The elephant bronzes with mahout of Antiochos III were struck at different times and at different parts the Seleukid Empire, but all were associated with military operations and soldiers' pay. The earlier types were struck at a military mint associated with Ekbatana around 210 BC, and the later ones come from a military mint operating of Coele-Syria during the Fifth Syrian War. The horse's head below the elephant indicates this copies the later issues of Coele-Syria, and it combines a charmingly crude head of Antiochos III as Apollo on the obverse with a partial and blundered legend on the reverse.
From the J. Metzger Collection.
The elephant bronzes with mahout of Antiochos III were struck at different times and at different parts the Seleukid Empire, but all were associated with military operations and soldiers' pay. The earlier types were struck at a military mint associated with Ekbatana around 210 BC, and the later ones come from a military mint operating of Coele-Syria during the Fifth Syrian War. The horse's head below the elephant indicates this copies the later issues of Coele-Syria, and it combines a charmingly crude head of Antiochos III as Apollo on the obverse with a partial and blundered legend on the reverse.