Seleukos I Nikator Trophy Tetradrachm

SELEUKID KINGS of SYRIA. Seleukos I Nikator, 312-281 BC. Tetradrachm (Silver, 26mm, 17.02 g 8), Susa, c. 304-298/7.
O: Bust of Alexander the Great and/or Seleukos as Dionysos to right, wearing helmet covered with a panther skin and adorned with a bull’s horn and ear, and with a panther skin tied around his shoulders.
R: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΣΕΛΕΥΚΟΥ Nike walking to right, placing wreath on trophy of arms to right; to left and right of Nike, monogram.

- CSE 1023. ESM 426. Kraay/Hirmer 740. SC 173.4., Ex New York Sale XXVIII, 5 January 2012, 1033, and from an English collection.

The portrait on the obverse has been identified as Dionysos, Alexander, or Seleukos. The arguments for each identification have merit, and indeed they are probably all correct; the image is an assimilation of all three into a singular portrait, as Iossif argues. The portrait relates to Seleukos' eastern victory and ties his mythology to that of both Dionysos (the panther being the animal companion of the god Dionysos), the first conqueror of India, and Alexander, the second conqueror of India.

In contrast, the reverse relates to the western victories of Seleukos. Here, Nike, the goddess of victory, places a wreath on a “trophy of arms”. An ancient “trophy” was a wooden post set up on a battlefield, decorated with the armor and weapons of a defeated enemy. This trophy is built from Macedonian arms, as evidenced by the Vergina Sun (or Argead Star) emblazoned on the shield. This star is ubiquitous in Greek and Macedonian art from ancient times down to our day. A beautiful example is found on a larnax in the tomb of Philip II of Macedonia, the father of Alexander the Great. This clearly identifies the vanquished enemy as the Antigonid army that fell at Ipsos in 301 BCE.

Thus, this issue celebrates the totality of Seleukos' victories in the east and west, solidifying his new empire, and also further establishes his dynastic heritage by tying his exploits to that of the great conqueror, Alexander, in an effort to legitimize Seleukos' right to rule over these vast lands.