Watch List notes:

SYRIA, SELEUKID KINGS. Seleukos I Nikator. 312-280 B.C. AR drachm. 4.16 gm. 16 mm. Attic standard. Type of Alexander with name of Seleukos. Seleukia in Pieria. Head of Herakles right, wearing lion scalp; dotted border / Zeus Nicephorus enthroned left holding Nike with outstretched right hand and a long scepter with his left hand; ΣΕΛΕΥΚΟΥ behind; KP beneath throne; monogram in field lower left. Newell, WSM. 891 (same dies); plate XV:13. Houghton-Lorber 31. Good Very Fine; atrractive old toning over fresh surfaces; well centered portrait of pleasing style. Reverse a bit off center. Rare.The coinage of the Seleukid kings begins with the end of the reign of Alexander the Great. Alexander rewarded Seleukos I with rule over Babylon. Though the coins were based on the Attic weight standard that Alexander used, the art was Hellenistic realism and the portraiture for the series gives us an indication of the actual appearance of this series of kings. This collection covers most of the reigns. It was formed by an individual with a keen interest in history. He has asked that it be offered in the name of two of his forebears whom he wishes to honor: W.B. & R.E. Montgomery. (There are some additional lots in this sale from the same collection: 30, 31, 35, 56, 57, 58, 179, 180, 181, 185, 190, 201, 206, 211, 213, 215, 216, 218, 226, 231, 240.)