Numismatica Ars Classica
Auction 133 21 Nov 2022
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Greek Coins. Seleucid Kings of Syria, Seleucus I, 312 – 281.
Tetradrachm, Susa circa 305-295, AR 16.81 g. Head of Alexander r. in Dionysian helmet covered with panther's skin and adorned with bull's ear and horns; panther skin tied around neck. Rev. ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΣΕΛΕΥΚΟΥ Nike standing r., crowning trophy; in lower l. field and lower central field, monogram. ESM 426. SC 173.4.
Rare and in exceptional condition for the issue, among the finest specimens
known. A portrait of masterly Hellenistic style struck on
excellent metal. Good extremely fine
Ex M&M 76, 1991, 828, Hess-Divo307, 2007, 1298 and Manhattan II, 2011, 68 sales. From the Peter Guber collection.
The 'trophy' coinage is now typically dated to c.305/4-295 BC, following Seleucus' Indian campaign. The helmeted, horned portrait has excited much comment. It remains uncertain whether it represents Seleucus I or Alexander III, or if it is a heroic figure who assimilates those two kings with Dionysus, a god famed for his conquest of the East. The trophy scene is a clear allusion to victory, and would have been an appropriate choice in the wake of a major campaign. In addition to the rather substantial 'trophy' issues of Susa (H&L I, 173-176), some irregular or outright imitative issues (H&L I, 196- 197, 199) appear to be roughly contemporary with the originals. Of barbarous style and manufacture are 'trophy' drachms and fractions naming Antiochus I (H&L I, 198, 226-228). They have been seen as official issues of a mint in Drangiana produced during Antiochus' co-regency with his father, which would place them after the main issue at Susa had ended.
Tetradrachm, Susa circa 305-295, AR 16.81 g. Head of Alexander r. in Dionysian helmet covered with panther's skin and adorned with bull's ear and horns; panther skin tied around neck. Rev. ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΣΕΛΕΥΚΟΥ Nike standing r., crowning trophy; in lower l. field and lower central field, monogram. ESM 426. SC 173.4.
Rare and in exceptional condition for the issue, among the finest specimens
known. A portrait of masterly Hellenistic style struck on
excellent metal. Good extremely fine
Ex M&M 76, 1991, 828, Hess-Divo307, 2007, 1298 and Manhattan II, 2011, 68 sales. From the Peter Guber collection.
The 'trophy' coinage is now typically dated to c.305/4-295 BC, following Seleucus' Indian campaign. The helmeted, horned portrait has excited much comment. It remains uncertain whether it represents Seleucus I or Alexander III, or if it is a heroic figure who assimilates those two kings with Dionysus, a god famed for his conquest of the East. The trophy scene is a clear allusion to victory, and would have been an appropriate choice in the wake of a major campaign. In addition to the rather substantial 'trophy' issues of Susa (H&L I, 173-176), some irregular or outright imitative issues (H&L I, 196- 197, 199) appear to be roughly contemporary with the originals. Of barbarous style and manufacture are 'trophy' drachms and fractions naming Antiochus I (H&L I, 198, 226-228). They have been seen as official issues of a mint in Drangiana produced during Antiochus' co-regency with his father, which would place them after the main issue at Susa had ended.