Nomos AG
obolos 26 18 Dec 2022
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SELEUKID KINGS. Antiochos III 'the Great', 223-187 BC. (Bronze, 30 mm, 25.83 g, 8 h), Ekbatana. Diademed head of Antiochos III to right. Rev. ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΝΤΙΟΧΟΥ Mare standing left, looking back to nuzzle foal standing beneath her suckling; to left, monogram. HGC 9, 464 (R3). ESM 622. SC 1268. Dark green patina. Light cleaning marks, otherwise, very fine.
According to Houghton and Lorber, this "extraordinarily large" AA denomination employs a youthful portrait of Antiochos III and probably belongs early in the series of bronzes from Ekbatana. Interestingly, we often see denomination sets with Seleukid bronzes and this coin is no different in that sense, as there are four denominations in the set, AA, A, B, and C, ranging in size from about 31 mm down to around 14 mm. What is unusual, however, is the practice at Ekbatana of using the same types for each denomination. At most mints where there are bronze denomination sets, not only are the coins different in size, but they employ distinct yet related types, presumably to avoid confusion.
According to Houghton and Lorber, this "extraordinarily large" AA denomination employs a youthful portrait of Antiochos III and probably belongs early in the series of bronzes from Ekbatana. Interestingly, we often see denomination sets with Seleukid bronzes and this coin is no different in that sense, as there are four denominations in the set, AA, A, B, and C, ranging in size from about 31 mm down to around 14 mm. What is unusual, however, is the practice at Ekbatana of using the same types for each denomination. At most mints where there are bronze denomination sets, not only are the coins different in size, but they employ distinct yet related types, presumably to avoid confusion.