| Persia and Mesopotamia |  |
|
| Seleucid Kingdom, Seleukos I Nikator, 312 - 281 B.C., Babylonia, in the Name of Alexander the Great |   | Price dates this type 311 - 305 B.C. Houghton dates it 311 - 300 B.C. Houghton notes that Kritt down-dated the chronology due to the complexity of the emissions and two hoards that support the revised dating. Since it seems Antigonus managed to conquer Babylon in 310 B.C., the type should be dated after Seleukos recovered the city. |
| SH58199. Silver tetradrachm, Houghton-Lorber I 82.3m, Price 3769, aVF, weight 17.030 g, maximum diameter 26.8 mm, die axis 90o, Babylon I mint, c. 309 - 300 B.C.; obverse Herakles' head right, clad in Nemean lion scalp headdress tied at neck; reverse ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΛΕΞΑΝ∆ΡΟΥ, Zeus Aëtophoros enthroned left, eagle in right, long scepter vertical behind in left, right leg drawn back, MI above labrys (double-axe) left, monogram within wreath below throne; $360.00 (€277.20) |
| Macedonian Kingdom, Alexander III The Great, 336 - 323 B.C. |  | Struck in the name of Alexander by Seleukos or Peithon. Seleukos was made satrap in Babylonia in 320 B.C. but was put to flight by Antigonus Monophthalmus in 315. Antigonus made Peithon satrap of Babylonia. Seleukos recovered the city in 311 only to be forced to evacuate later that year by a counterattack by Antigonus' son, Demetrius. Not long after, however, Seleukos again recovered the city. |
| SH63691. Silver tetradrachm, Price 3713, Müller Alexander 717, VF, nice style, weight 16.559 g, maximum diameter 27.2 mm, die axis 270o, Babylon mint, posthumous, 317 - 311 B.C.; obverse Herakles' head right, clad in Nemean lion scalp headdress tied at neck; reverse ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΛΕΞΑΝ∆ΡΟΥ, Zeus enthroned left, eagle in right, long scepter vertical behind in left, right leg drawn back, monogram in wreath left, ΚΛ below throne; $350.00 (€269.50) |
| Seleucid Kingdom, Seleukos I Nikator, 312 - 281 B.C., Babylonia, in the Name of Alexander the Great |  | Price dates this type 311 - 305 B.C. Houghton dates it 311 - 300 B.C. Houghton notes that Kritt down-dated the chronology due to the complexity of the emissions and two hoards that support the revised dating. Since it seems Antigonus managed to conquer Babylon in 310 B.C., the type should be dated after Seleukos recovered the city. |
| GS56726. Silver tetradrachm, Houghton 82, cf. Price 3753 ff. (various controls left), F, weight 16.880 g, maximum diameter 24.2 mm, Babylon mint, c. 309 - 300 B.C.; obverse Herakles' head right, clad in Nemean lion scalp headdress tied at neck; reverse ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΛΕΞΑΝ∆ΡΟΥ, Zeus enthroned left, eagle in extended right, long scepter vertical behind in left, controls letters off flan on left, monogram in wreath under throne; high-relief obverse; $290.00 (€223.30) |
| Macedonian Kingdom, Peithon, Satrap of Babylon, c. 315 - Autumn 312 B.C.; In the Name of Alexander the Great |  | Struck by Peithon, son of Agenor, the Macedonian satrap in Babylon, 316 - 312 B.C. Peithon was a successful officer under Alexander, first mentioned as the commander of a phalanx battalion in January 325 in the battles against the Mallians in the southern Punjab. Alexander made him satrap of the Indus in 325 B.C. In 315 B.C., Antigonos Monophthalmos forced Seleukos to flee Babylon and replaced him with Peithon. Peithon fought alongside Antigonus Monophthalmus against Cassander and Ptolemy, in 314 B.C. He was killed in action in autumn 312 B.C., at the Battle of Gaza where the forces of Demetrius, the son of Antigonus, were defeated by Ptolemy. |
| SH58475. Silver tetradrachm, Price 3734, Müller Alexander 720, SNG Cop 842, gF, weight 16.856 g, maximum diameter 28.4 mm, die axis 90o, Babylon mint, Peithon, 315 - 312 B.C.; obverse Herakles' head right, clad in Nemean lion scalp headdress tied at neck; reverse ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΛΕΞΑΝ∆ΡΟΥ, Zeus enthroned left, eagle in right, long scepter vertical behind in left, right leg drawn back, monogram in wreath left, monogram in circle under throne; $265.00 (€204.05) |
| Macedonian Kingdom, Alexander III The Great, 336 - 323 B.C. |  | Struck in the name of Alexander by Seleukos or Antigonus. Seleukos was first appointed satrap in Babylonia in 320 B.C. but was put to flight by Antigonus in 315. He returned in 311 only to be forced to evacuate later that year by a counterattack by Antigonus' son, Demetrius. Not long after, however, Seleukos again recovered the city. |
| SH60139. Silver tetradrachm, Price 3701, gF, weight 16.807 g, maximum diameter 26.3 mm, die axis 180o, Babylon mint, posthumous, 317 - 311 B.C.; obverse Herakles' head right, clad in Nemean lion scalp headdress tied at neck; reverse ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΛΕΞΑΝ∆ΡΟΥ, Zeus enthroned left, eagle in right, long scepter vertical behind in left, right leg forward, feet on a footstool, uncertain monogram in wreath below throne; sculptural high-relief head of Herakles; $260.00 (€200.20) |
| Persian Empire, Lydia, Anatolia, Artaxerxes I - Artaxerxes II, c. 455 - 375 B.C. |  | | Minted in Lydia, Anatolia while under Persian control, prior to Alexander the Great's conquest. |
 |
|
| GA57457. Silver siglos, Carradice Type IV A/B; SGCV II 4683, aVF, uneven strike, weight 5.556 g, maximum diameter 16.6 mm, obverse kneeling-running figure of the Great King right, dagger in right, bow in left, bearded, crowned; reverse irregular oblong punch; $165.00 (€127.05) |
| Persian Empire, Lydia, Anatolia, Darius II - Artaxerxes II, c. 420 - 375 B.C. |  | | Minted in Lydia, Anatolia while under Persian control, prior to Alexander the Great's conquest. |
|
|
| GA56988. Silver siglos, Carradice Type IV (middle) B, Carradice Price p. 73 and pl. 19, 217 ff.; SNG Kayhan 1033; SGCV II 4683, VF, weight 5.420 g, maximum diameter 17.2 mm, obverse Kneeling-running figure of the Great King right, dagger in right, bow in left, quiver on right shoulder, crowned, waist indicated, pellets on sleeves; reverse irregular oblong punch; $160.00 (€123.20) |
| Parthian Empire, Vonones I, c. 8 - 12 A.D. |  | The reverse legend commemorates Vonones' temporary victory over Artabanos, the king who would in time defeat him. Unlike most Parthian coins, the reverse type is not the usual seated archer and the king's personal name appears in the Greek legend. |
| GS57276. Silver drachm, Sellwood 60.5, Shore 329, SNG Cop 146 - 147, VF, toned, weight 3.626 g, maximum diameter 19.8 mm, die axis 0o, Ekbatana mint, c. 8 - 12 A.D.; obverse ΒΑΣΙΛΕΥΣ ΟΝΩΝΗΣ, diademed head left, medium tapering square cut beard, three diadem ties behind; reverse ΒΑΣΙΛΕΥΣ ΟΝΩΝΗΣ ΝΕΙΚΗΣΑΣ ΑΡΤΑΒΑΝΟΝ (King Vonones, conqueror of Artabanos), Nike standing right, extending palm frond in right, wreath in left, Ekbatana mint monogram below palm; $160.00 (€123.20) ON RESERVE |
| Persian Empire, Lydia, Anatolia, Darius II - Artaxerxes II, c. 420 - 375 B.C. |  | | Minted in Lydia, Anatolia while under Persian control, prior to Alexander the Great's conquest. |
|
|
| GA56974. Silver siglos, Carradice Type IV (middle) B, Carradice Price p. 73 and pl. 19, 217 ff.; SNG Kayhan 1033; SGCV II 4683, F, weight 5.556 g, maximum diameter 14.6 mm, obverse Kneeling-running figure of the Great King right, dagger in right, bow in left, bearded, crowned, pellets on sleeves; reverse irregular oblong punch; $140.00 (€107.80) |
| Persian Empire, Lydia, Anatolia, Darius II - Artaxerxes II, c. 420 - 375 B.C. |  | | Minted in Lydia, Anatolia while under Persian control, prior to Alexander the Great's conquest. |
|
|
| GA56981. Silver siglos, Carradice Type IV (middle) B, Carradice Price p. 73 and pl. 19, 217 ff.; SNG Kayhan 1033; SGCV II 4683, aVF, weight 5.468 g, maximum diameter 15.1 mm, obverse Kneeling-running figure of the Great King right, dagger in right, bow in left, quiver on right shoulder, crowned, waist indicated, pellets on sleeves; reverse irregular oblong punch; $140.00 (€107.80) |
| Seleucid Kingdom, Seleukos I Nikator, 312 - 281 B.C., Babylonia, in the Name of Alexander the Great |  | Price dates this type 311 - 305 B.C. Houghton dates it 311 - 300 B.C. Houghton notes that Kritt down-dated the chronology due to the complexity of the emissions and two hoards that support the revised dating. Since it seems Antigonus managed to conquer Babylon in 310 B.C., the type should be dated after Seleukos recovered the city. |
| GS58483. Silver tetradrachm, Houghton 82, cf. Price 3753 ff. (various controls left), Fair, weight 17.0 g, maximum diameter 25.6 mm, die axis 0o, Babylon mint, c. 309 - 300 B.C.; obverse Herakles' head right, clad in Nemean lion scalp headdress tied at neck; reverse ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΛΕΞΑΝ∆ΡΟΥ, Zeus enthroned left, eagle in extended right, long scepter vertical behind in left, controls letters obscure on left, monogram in wreath under throne; $140.00 (€107.80) |
| Parthian Empire, Vologases IV, c. 147 - 191 A.D. |  | |
| GS50133. Silver drachm, Sellwood 84.131, EF, rainbow toned, weight 3.835 g, maximum diameter 20.6 mm, die axis 0o, Ekbatana mint, obverse bust left with beard tapering to a square cut, wearing tiara with ear-flaps, hooks on crest; reverse archer seated right holding bow, monogram below bow, blundered Greek legend forming a square around; $110.00 (€84.70) |
| Philip I the Arab, February 244 - End of September 249 A.D., Nisibis, Mesopotamia |  | Nisibis is the city of Netzivin in the Talmud. The Jews of Nisibis resisted the Roman conqueror, Trajan, to maintain Parthian rule. The city was taken only after a lengthy siege. After the it fell, Nisibis was laid waste and the massacre was so great that the houses, streets, and roads were strewn with corpses. |
| RP57190. Bronze AE 26, SNG Cop 241; BMC Arabia p. 122, 17; Lindgren 2603, aVF, weight 10.576 g, maximum diameter 25.2 mm, die axis 0o, Nisibis mint, obverse ΑΥΤΟΚ Κ Μ ΙΟΥΛΙ ΦΙΛΙΠΠΟC CΕΒ, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right; reverse ΙΟΥ CΕΠ ΚΟΛΩ ΝΕCΙΒΙ ΜΗΤ, tetrastyle temple with twisted columns; within arched central bay: statue of Tyche seated facing, ram leaping right above; river-god swimming right below; $105.00 (€80.85) |
| Macrinus, 11 April 217 - 8 June 218 A.D., Carrhae, Mesopotamia |  | Carrhae had a famous temple to a male moon god, known to the Romans as Lunus. Lunus had prophetic powers and Caracalla was on his way to consult with Lunus when he was murdered. Prieur speculates that Macrinus may have feared his plan to murder Caracalla was about to be revealed by the god. |
| RP63697. Silver tetradrachm, Prieur 836, VF, weight 13.922 g, maximum diameter 25.0 mm, die axis 0o, Carrhae mint, 217 - 218 A.D.; obverse ΑΥΤ Κ Μ ΟΠ CΕ ΜΑΚΡΙΝΟC CΕ, radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right, from behind; reverse ∆ΜΑΡΧ ΕΞ ΥΠΑΤΟC, eagle standing front, wings spread, head right, between legs crescent, star in left field, two pellets (second officina?) in ex; REV LEG?; $100.00 (€77.00) |
| Severus Alexander, 13 March 222 - March 235 A.D., Rhesaena, Mesopotamia |  | Legio III Pia was stationed at Rhesaena. |
| RP58430. Bronze AE 19, BMC Arabia p. 126, 9, SNG Cop -, aVF, edge chip, weight 3.846 g, maximum diameter 18.7 mm, die axis 0o, Rhesaena mint, obverse ... ΑΛΕΞΑΝ∆ΡΟ..., laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right; reverse Centaur Sagittarius standing right, vexillum inscribed LEG / III before him, ∆ below; rare; $95.00 (€73.15) |
| Parthian Empire, Vologases III, 105 - 147 A.D. |  | Seleucia, where this coin was minted, stood in Mesopotamia, on the west bank of the Tigris River. Trajan destroyed it in 117 A.D. It was rebuilt after Hadrian ceded the area but destroyed again by the Romans in 164 A.D. Today it lies under a Baghdad suburb. |
| GB17922. Bronze dichalkon, Sellwood 79.4; Shore 622, aVF, weight 1.106 g, maximum diameter 11.4 mm, die axis 0o, Seleucia mint, obverse bearded bust left wearing diadem and earring; reverse turreted and draped bust of Tyche right, holding diadem? date before?; nice green patina; rare; $90.00 (€69.30) |
| Gordian III, 29 July 238 - 25 February 244 A.D., Edessa, Mesopotamia |  | Tyche (Greek for luck; the Roman equivalent was Fortuna) was the presiding tutelary deity that governed the fortune and prosperity of a city, its destiny. Increasingly during the Hellenistic period, cities had their own specific iconic version of Tyche, wearing a mural crown (a crown like the walls of the city). |
| RP56756. Bronze AE 28, SNG Cop 220; BMC Arabia p. 111, 128 ff., F, porous, weight 14.292 g, maximum diameter 28.5 mm, die axis 180o, Mesopotamia, Edessa mint, obverse ΑΥΤΟΚ Κ Μ ΑΝΤ ΓΟΡ∆ΙΑΝΟC CΕΒ, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right; reverse ΜΗΤ ΚΟΛ Ε∆ΕCCΗΝΩΝ, veiled and turreted bust of Tyche left, a flaming altar below her chin, before her a small figure of Aquarius standing on a pedestal holding a water-skin; $75.00 (€57.75) |
| Caracalla, 28 January 198 - 8 April 217 A.D., Rhesaena, Mesopotamia |  | This type with an eagle at the base of the vexillum on the reverse is unpublished in the many references examined by Forum. There are similar types and a few examples in the references that could have the eagle on the reverse (but not the same dies) but are off center or worn.
Rhesaena became a colony during the reign of Septimius Severus, when the Legio III Parthica was settled there.
|
| RP59266. Bronze AE 18, apparently unpublished; Castelin -, BMC Arabia -, SNG Cop -, SNG UK -, SNG Leipzig, SNG Righetti -, Lindgren -, aF, weight 4.571 g, maximum diameter 16.7 mm, die axis 0o, Mesopotamia, Rhesaena mint, obverse [...] ANT[...], laureate head right, eagle right below; reverse vexillum, eagle below, III - C (reversed) / P (reversed) - S across field; extremely rare; $70.00 (€53.90) |
| Severus Alexander, 13 March 222 - March 235 A.D., Edessa, Mesopotamia |  | Edessa is the historical name of an Assyrian town in northern Mesopotamia, refounded on an ancient site by Seleucus I Nicator. Caracalla was assassinated in Edessa in 217 and Valerian was captured by Shapur I at Edessa in 260.
In 230, the Persian King Ardashir I invaded Mesopotamia. Alexander attempted to make peace but was rebuffed. He and his mother Julia Mamaea made their headquarters at Antioch and accompanied the legions. The Roman counterattack was defeated in 232 but both sides suffered heavy losses and agreed to a truce. In 233, Severus Alexander celebrated a triumph in Rome to observe his "victory." |
| RP53977. Bronze AE 26, BMC Arabia p. 107, 101 var (eagle tipped scepter); SNG Cop 218 var (bust right), gF, weight 9.094 g, maximum diameter 26.4 mm, die axis 180o, Mesopotamia, Edessa mint, obverse AVT K M A C ΑΛΕΞΑΝ∆ΡOC CEB, laureateand cuirassed bust left, holding round shield and spear over shoulder; reverse MHT KO E∆ECCHNWN, Tyche seated left on rock, altar before, river-god swimming at her feet, two stars flanking; $70.00 (€53.90) |
| Commodus, March or April 177 - 31 December 192 A.D., Carrhae(?), Mesopotamia |  | In RPC online and most other references this type is attributed to an uncertain mint in Mesopotamia, either Edessa or Carrhae. Edessa is very unlikely, for at the time of Commodus, the city was ruled by a dynasty striking its own coinage with the king's name and his image. |
| RP59215. Bronze AE 15, RPC Online 8047; SNG Cop 191 (Edessa); cf. BMC Arabia p. 139, 10, aVF, weight 1.952 g, maximum diameter 14.7 mm, die axis 180o, Carrhae mint, obverse ΚΑΙCΑΡ ΑΥ ΚΟΜΟ∆ΟC CΕ, Laureate head of Commodus right; reverse ΥΠΕΡ ΝΙΚΗΣ ΠΩΜΑΙΩΝ, turreted, draped, and veiled bust of Tyche right; very rare; $45.00 (€34.65) |
CLICK HERE TO SEE MORE FROM THIS CATEGORY - FORVM's PRIOR SALES
|
