SELEUKID EMPIRE. Seleukos I Nikator. 312-281 B.C. AR tetradrachm. 16.94 gm. 25 mm. In the name and types of Alexander III 'the Great' of Macedon. Babylon I mint. Struck circa 311-300 B.C. Head of Herakles right, wearing lion skin / Zeus Aëtophoros seated left; MI above bee in left field, monogram in wreath below throne. SC 82.2b. Price 3754. HGC 9, 10f. Very Fine; lightly toned and well centered.
Ex Group SGF (CNG eAuction 340, 3 December 2014) lot 167.
Seleukos was a general under Ptolemy. Upon the death of Alexander, he took control of Egypt, probably his richest province. Ptolemy sent him east to secure the vast areas of Syria, Persia, Bactria and northwestern india, but he declared himself king there, founding the Seleukid Empire and the Seleukid dynasty which lasted until 63 B.C. A fascinating footnote: he soon gave up his Indian possessions for a large payment which included 500 war elephants.