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Baktrian Kingdom, Diodotos I & II coregency, ca. 250-235 BC, AR Tetradrachm Diademed head of Diodotos r.
ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ANTIOXOY Zeus striding l., hurling thunderbolt in r. hand, aegis over extended l. arm, eagle at feet, monogram above eagle.
Holt A6, #46 (this coin); SC 631.1a.
Mint A (Ai Khanoum).
(26 mm, 16.27 g, 6h).
Harlan J. Berk Buy or Bid 218 (2022), lot 95; Frank Kovacs Mail Bid Sale XIV (1998), lot 80.n.igmaFeb 13, 2022
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Thrace, Odessos, ca. 80-72/1 BC, AR Tetradrachm - Mithradatic Alliance issueHead of Herakles r., with the features of Mithradates VI of Pontos, wearing lion skin headdress.
ΒΑΣIΛΕΩΣ ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡOΥ, Zeus seated l., legs draped, confronting eagle held on outstretched r. arm and grasping lotus-tipped sceptre, ΛAK before, OΔΗ (Odessos ethnic) in exergue.
Price 1192; de Callataÿ Group 3 (D2/R?). (30 mm, 16.04 g, 1h).
Freeman & Sear.
For this issue, the portrait of Herakles on the Alexandrine coinage of Odessos was adapted to the features of Mithradates VI. The exact reason for this brief experiment is not clear, although it probably reflects veneration for Mithradates when at the zenith of his success he evicted the Romans from Asia Minor, Macedonia, and Greece. This portrayal is found on three emissions (Price 1191-1193) issued by the magistrate ΛAKΩN, struck from six obverse dies. The experiment was short lived and the portrayal of Herakles quickly reverted to the more usual style, which was maintained to the end of the series about a decade later. Mithradates considered himself a descendent of Alexander the Great, so that the adaption of Herakles features to those of Mithradates on Alexandrine coinage links to him to his mythological ancestry.
n.igmaJan 27, 2022
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Parthia, Andragoras, ca. 245-238 BC, AR DidrachmHelmeted head of Athena r.; bunch of grapes behind.
Owl standing r., head facing, crescent, olive spray (largely off-flan) and bunch of grapes (mostly off-flan) behind, AΘE to r.
Taylor Birds of a Feather 2.3, 96 (dies a7/p12) ; HGC 12, 4 (Baktria); H. Nicolet-Pierre & M. Amandry, RN 1994, 24-28 (Baktria); SNG ANS 9, 5 (Baktria).
(19 mm, 7.94 g, 6h).
Roma Numismatics XVII (28 Mar. 2019), lot 587; ex 'Andragoras-Sophytes' Hoard.
The 'Andragoras-Sophytes' hoard came to market from mid-late 2017. It was reputedly found in 2014 and consisted of approximately 600 coins from at an undisclosed location in Afghanistan (Hoard information: Olivier Bordeaux & Osmund Bopearachchi). Around half of these coins were marketed by Roma Numismatics in a succession of auctions commencing in 2017 and continuing through to 2019.
n.igmaApr 22, 2019
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Baktrian Kingdom, Eukratides II, ca. 145-140 BC, AR Tetradrachm Diademed bust of Eukratides II r.
ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΣΩTHPOΣ EYKPATIΔOY Apollo standing l., arrow in his r. hand, in l. hand a bow resting on ground, monogram inner l. field.
Bopearachchi Series 3B; Mitchiner 173a (attributed to Eukratides I); SNG ANS 9, 625 (same dies); HGC 12, 162.
(31 mm, 16.62 g, 12h).
Harlan J. Berk Buy or Bid Sale 164 (Apr. 2009), Lot 251.
n.igmaDec 25, 2018
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Seleukid Kingdom, Seleukos I Nikator, 312-281 BC, AR Tetradrachm – Carrhae Head of Herakles r. wearing lion-skin headdress.
ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΣEΛEYKOY Zeus Aëtophoros seated l., wreath and monogram to l., ΛY beneath throne.
SC 42.5; HGC 9, 12a (R2-3); WSM 776 dies A16/P30; Commerce ("Seleucus I") Hoard 2005 (CH 10.265) 1254 (this coin); CSE 2, 16 (AHNS 1026).
Carrhae (Karrhai) after 301 BC.
(26 mm, 17.08 g, 3h).
Roma E-Sale 3 (30 Nov. 2013), lot 290; from "a private American Collection"; ex- Holyland Numismatics (2012); ex- Commerce ("Seleucus I") Hoard 2005 (CH 10.265) #1254.
Carrhae (Karrhai) was Biblical Haran, the home of Abraham, located in southeastern Turkey a few kilometres from the modern-day village of Altınbaşak, on a tributary of the Euphrates River in northern Mesopotamia. A mint was established in the city around 315 BC under Antigonos Monopthalmos, who settled Macedonian veterans in the city. Many of these veterans joined Seleukos when he passed through the city in 311 on his way to reclaim his Babylonian Satrapy, although the city remained under Antigonid authority. After the Battle of Ipsos in 301 BC, the city fell within the Seleukid Empire.
n.igmaDec 20, 2018
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Seleukid Kingdom, Seleukos I Nikator, 312-281 BC, AR Tetradrachm – SardisHead of Herakles r. wearing lion-skin headdress.
ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΣEΛEYKOY Zeus Nikephoros seated l., monogram on shield to l., AΣ beneath throne.
SC 3.1; HGC 9, 16a; Miller & Hoover AJN 22 (2010), 8 (this coin) dies A1/P2; WSM 1350 P2 β, A1/P2 (this coin). Seleukos’ military mint at Sardis 282-281 BC.
(25 mm, 17.07 g, 12h).
Naville Sale XV (2 Jul. 1930), lot 1061.
This coin was struck in 282 BC following the fall of the city of Sardis to Seleukos, during the preliminaries of the campaign that delivered the decisive victory over Lysimachos at Korupedion, in the late summer of 281 BC. This coin is from the first obverse and second reverse die used in the series. It is one of two examples from this die set that survives to this day. The series from which it comes was interpreted by Miller and Hoover (The Sardes Mint under Seleucus I Nicator) to have originated from a military mint operation associated with Seleukos army. The obverse bears a striking resemblance to the last die used at Seleukeia in Pieria, to the extent that both dies were almost certainly engraved by the same hand. This led Miller and Hoover to propose that "Stylistic affinities between the first die of Sardes and the last of Seleucia in Pieria raise the possibility that the equipment and personnel of the latter may have been moved to Sardes to serve as a supplemental military mint."n.igmaDec 20, 2018
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Parthia, Andragoras, ca. 245-238 BC, AR DidrachmHelmeted head of Athena r.; monogram behind.
Owl standing r., head facing; galley prow r. above grape vine branch behind, AΘE to r.
Taylor 'Birds of a Feather' 2.15; HGC 12, 3 (Baktria); H. Nicolet-Pierre & M. Amandry, RN 1994, 49 (Baktria); SNG ANS 9, 4 var. (Baktria).
(18 mm, 8.11 g, 6h).
Roma Numismatics E-Live 4 (20 Nov. 2018), lot 440; ex- 'Andragoras-Sophytes' Hoard.
This coin like all the Series 2 didrachms has a strongly developed hammered edge fabric giving the edge of the coin a faceted appearance that is much more evident in hand than in the photo.
Although the mint control symbol consisting of a galley prow may seem out of place on a coin struck in Parthia, it should be remembered that the province of Parthia bordered the Caspian Sea, the world's largest inland body of water, undoubtedly plied by galleys in ancient times.
The 'Andragoras-Sophytes' hoard came to market from mid-late 2017. It was reputedly found in 2014 and consisted of approximately 600 coins from at an undisclosed location in Afghanistan (Hoard information: Olivier Bordeaux & Osmund Bopearachchi). Around half of these coins were marketed by Roma Numismatics in a succession of auctions commencing in 2017 and continuing through 2019.
n.igmaDec 16, 2018
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Hanover, George III, 1760-1820, Cu Halfpenny, Tower (London) mint 1771 GEORGIVS · III · REX · laureate and armoured bust right.
BRITAN NIA · Britannia seated left on globe, holding olive branch and long transverse sceptre, Union shield to lower right, 1771 in exergue.
Peck 898; SCBC 3774.
(28 mm, 9.88 g, 6h).
Classical Numismatic Group; ex- C. W. Pearson Collection.
n.igmaDec 16, 2018
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Great Britain, Captain James Cook Medal (Æ) by Lewis Pingo for the Royal Society 1784Left-facing bust of Captain James Cook (1728-1779) in his naval uniform. IAC. COOK OCEANI INVESTIGATOR ACERRIMVS (James Cook the most intrepid investigator of the seas) around the border. REG. SOC.LOND. / SOCIO. SVO (The Royal Society London, to its Fellow) below; signed L.P.F. (Lewis Pingo fecit) beneath the truncation of the shoulder.
The personified figure of Fortune leaning against a rostral column, holding a rudder resting on a globe; shield bearing Union Jack leaning against rostra column. NIL INTENTATVM NOSTRI LIQUERE (Our men have left nothing unattempted) around the border. In exergue AUSPICIIS / GEORGII / III (Under the auspices of George III).
MH 374; BHM 258; Betts 553; Eimar 780.
(43 mm, 12h).
On 14 February 1779, the world’s greatest navigator and maritime explorer, Captain James Cook (1728-1779), was killed in a skirmish with the Hawaiian inhabitants at Kealakekua Bay, on the big island. News of his death took almost a year to reach England. On receiving the news, the Chairman of the Royal Society, Sir Joseph Banks, sought designs for a medal to celebrate Cook’s achievements. Many artisans submitted ideas for consideration. However, it was the design of the chief engraver of the London Mint, Lewis Pingo (1743-1830) that won the sanction of the Royal Society. Work on the dies commenced on 15 June 1780 although it was to be more than three years before Sir Joseph Banks announced that the engraving was complete in November 1783. The medal was struck the following year in gold (22 copies), silver (322 copies) and bronze (577 copies). The bronze strikes were distributed free to the Fellows of the Royal Society, while gold and silver were by subscription only, with several of the gold medals reserved for dignitaries, including the King George III and James Cook’s widow Elizabeth.
The portrayal of Cook on the medal is derived from the famous portrait by Nathaniel Dance. The accompanying Latin legend translates to ‘James Cook the most intrepid explorer of the seas.' The reverse celebrates Cook's journeys, with the image of Fortune holding a rudder over the globe and a motto in Latin, which translated reads 'Our men have left nothing unattempted'.n.igmaDec 14, 2018
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temp. STUART, William Sancroft, Archbishop of Canterbury, 1677-1690, AR Medal by George Bower 1688 * GVIL · SANCROFT · ARCHIEPISC · CANTVAR · 1688 Bust of William Sancroft, the Archbishop of Canterbury, wearing camauro and canonical robes, facing right.
Seven medallions of the Bishops committed to the Tower of London: Bishops Henry Compton (middle – London), Francis Turner (upper right, proceeding clockwise – Ely), Thomas Ken (Bath), Sir John Trelawney (Bristol), Thomas White (Peterborough), John Lake (Chichester), and William Lloyd (St. Asaph); twelve stars around; signed GB·F· (George Bower fecit) below.
MI 622/37; Eimer 288b. By G. Bower. Dated 1688.
(51 mm, 53.45 g, 12h).
CNG 85 (15 September 2010) Lot 1562: California Collection of British Historical Medals.
This remarkable medallion portrays no less than eight people directly associated with a historical event that did much to shape the modern secular British democracy. In 1687, King James II enacted unilaterally and against the will of the Parliament the Declaration of Indulgence as the first step in establishing the freedom of religion in England. The ensuing protest concerned the legality of James right to make the dispensation in the absence of the support of Parliament, plus the absence of a guarantee that the Anglican Church would remain as the established church. Many leaders within the clergy refused to read the Declaration in church from the pulpit as instructed by the King in early 1688. This culminated in a petition to the King against the reading of the Declaration. The petition originated from the hand of the Archbishop of Canterbury, William Sancroft, depicted on the obverse of the medal and was signed by the six other bishops identified around the margin of the reverse of the medallion. Bishop Henry Compton, depicted in the centre of the reverse, was included on the medal due to his earlier dissent to the King’s approach to Catholicism, for which James removed him from office.
The seven bishops who signed the petition were charged with seditious libel and imprisoned in the Tower of London in May 1688. Brought to trial before the Court of the King’s Bench, the bishops were acquitted. This served as a precursor to James’ deposition shortly thereafter.
This medal was issued following the trial, in commemoration of the action taken by William Sancroft and his fellow bishops in refusing to follow James II’s edict to read the Declaration of Indulgence from the pulpit. The medal connects directly with one of the key events in British history, which lead ultimately to the deposition of James II by his son-in-law and daughter, William III and Mary II of Orange on 5 November 1688. As a direct result of the action of the seven bishops, the right to petition the king was enshrined in the new Bill of Rights in 1689. Simplistically, some people see this medal as a testament to religious intolerance, although the issues of the time that brought it into being were far more complex, involving matters of secular authority, constitutional right, and the very basis of power in the evolving secular democratic British state. This is demonstrated by the decision of Sancfroft and five of the seven bishops that they could not swear allegiance to the new protestant King William III, for to do so would be a repudiation of their prior sworn loyalty to the deposed Catholic King James II. As a result, Sancroft was dismissed from his role in 1690 and died in relative obscurity three years later.
Few coins, or medals, connect so directly with history and in doing so depict so many influential participants. The medal was the work of George Bower (d. 1690) a medallist who worked in London from 1650-1689. He had been appointed to the position of Engraver of the Royal Mint and Embosser in Ordinary in 1664.
n.igmaDec 13, 2018
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Parthia, Andragoras, ca. 245-238 BC, AR TetradrachmHelmeted head of Athena r.; Î YMH monogram behind in lower l. field.
Owl standing r., head facing; olive-sprig, crescent and grape bunch behind, AΘE to r.
Taylor Birds of a Feather 2.7, 51 (this coin) dies A5/P8; HGC 12, 2 var.; H. Nicolet-Pierre & M. Amandry, "Un nouveau trésor de monnaies d’argent pseudo-Athéniennes venu d’Afghanistan” RN 1994, 13-15 (attributed to Baktria); Bopearachchi Sophytes 1 (Baktria); Mitchiner 13e (attributed to Babylon).
(22 mm, 16.83 g, 6h).
Coin India; ex- Hakim Hamidi (an Afghan coin dealer).
n.igmaDec 12, 2018
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Parthia, Satrapy of Andragoras, ca. 250-238 BC, AR TetradrachmHelmeted head of Athena r.
Owl standing r., head facing, olive-sprig and crescent behind, AΘ[E] to r.
Taylor 'Birds of a Feather' 1.1; SNG ANS 9, 1; HGC 12, 1.
(23 mm, 16.73 g, 6h).
Roma Numismatics eSale 45 (5 May 2018), Lot 373; ex-'Andragoras-Sophytes' Hoard.
The advanced style of the owl and the 6h die adjustment of this coin indicate that it was struck at the end of Series 1 in the transition to Series 2 at which time the die axis adjustment changed from 12h to 6h and the reverse incuse square gave way to a non-incuse reverse. This intermediate fabric is proof that the two series were struck without a time gap between them.
The 'Andragoras-Sophytes' hoard came to market from mid-late 2017. It was reputedly found in 2014 and consisted of approximately 600 coins from at an undisclosed location in Afghanistan (Hoard information: Olivier Bordeaux & Osmund Bopearachchi). Around half of these coins were marketed by Roma Numismatics in a succession of auctions commencing in 2017 and continuing through 2019. n.igmaDec 05, 2018
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Pamphylia, Aspendos, ca. 420-400 BC, AR Stater Two wrestlers grappling within a dotted border.
Slinger discharging sling r., triskeles in r. field, ethnic EΣTFEΔIIVΣ to l., all within shallow incuse square.
SNG France 49; SNG von Aulock 4504.
(23 mm, 10.84 g, 5h).
Kirk Davis
n.igmaJul 17, 2018
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Kings of Pergamon, Eumenes I, 263-241 BC, AR TetradrachmDiademed head of Philetairos r.
ΦIΛΕΤAIPΟY Athena enthroned l., holding shield; spear behind, ivy leaf to inner l., bow to r., A on throne.
Westermark Group II (V.X/R.1); SNG France 1604; SNG von Aulock 1354; Meydancikkale 3002; Sear 7217.
(28 mm, 16.14 g, 12h).
John Jencek
n.igmaJul 17, 2018
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Pisidia, Selge, 2nd-1st Century BC, AR Triobol Head of Herakles wreathed with styrax facing slightly r., lion's skin draped around neck, club in l. field.
ΣEΛΓEΩN between club and sacred styrax plant on an altar, bucranium in r. field.
SNG BN 1959; BMC 19, 260, 37; Sear GCV 5484.
(15 mm, 2.41 g, 12h). Apollo Numismatics; ex- Heritage 3010 (16 Aug. 2010), Lot 22002; ex- David P. Herman Coll.: CNG 73 (13 Sep. 2006), Lot 387.
The facing head of Herakles on this coin is a miniature masterpiece. The tilt of Herakles head and his semi-skyward gaze is reminiscent of the preferred portraiture of Alexander the Great for whom Herakles was a patron god. Following the death of Alexander the Great, Herakles became a favored subject for the facing head portrayal on Hellenistic coinage in contrast to the preceding Classical era in which Athena dominated.
n.igmaJul 17, 2018
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Pontos, Amisos, ca. 125-100 BC, Æ Obol – Struck under Mithradates VIMale head wearing bashlyk r.
AMI-ΣOY either side of quiver and unstrung bow.
HGC 7, 236; SNG BM Black Sea 1135-8; SNG Stancomb 669; SNG Copenhagen 131; SNG von Aulock 57-58; Laffaille 414; Callataÿ p. 248, n. 19, pl. XLVIII, A–B. Probably struck ca. 120-111 BC.
(27 mm, 21.54 g, 12h).
Pars Coins.
n.igmaJul 17, 2018
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Seleukid Kingdom, Antiochos IV Epiphanes, 175-164 BC, AR Tetradrachm - Ake PtolemaisDiademed head of the Antiochos IV r., (ΛB) monogram behind (only truncated r. limb of Λ is visible).
BAΣIΛEΩΣ ANTIOXOY ΘEOY EПiΦANOYΣ NIKHΦOPOY (of King Antiochos God Manifest Bearer of Victory) Zeus enthroned l., holding Nike in extended r. hand and scepter in l., palm branch in outer l. field, HP monogram in exergue
SC 1476.1a; Morkholm 6; HGC 9, 620c; Commerce (“Demetrius I”) Hoard, 2003 (CH10.301) #417 (this coin).
Minted in Ake-Ptolemais ca.168-164 BC.
(32 mm, 17.03 g, 12h).
Freeman & Sear Fixed Price List 10 (Spring 2005) Lot 174; from the Commerce (“Demetrius I”) Hoard, 2003 (CH10.301) #417 (this coin).
The Commerce (“Demetrius I”) Hoard, 2003 (CH10.301) from which this coin originated came to market in Europe during 2003. Consisting of 532 coins, including 450 tetradrachms, it was documented by Catherine Lorber in Coin Hoards X. This coin was one of eleven Antiochos IV tetradrachms from the hoard offered in Freeman & Sear’s Fixed Price List 10 in 2005.
n.igmaJul 17, 2018
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Kings of Macedon, Philip II, 359-336 BC, Æ 16 Head of Apollo wearing taenia r.
ФIΛIΠΠOY Youth on horseback r.; below, dolphin above AP monogram.
Hersh 1999, p.163, 31; SNG Alpha Bank 405; SNG ANS 909; SNG Munchen 188-189; Mionnet vol. I, 752.
Uncertain Macedonian mint.
(16 mm, 6.44 g, 1h).
Coin India 2011; found in Pakistan.
Found in Pakistan, some 3,000 miles to the east of Macedonia, it is possible that it made its way to the region in which it was found with Alexander’s army.
n.igmaJul 16, 2018
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Kings of Macedon, Alexander III the Great, 336-323 BC, AR Tetradrachm – Damaskos c. 326/5 BC Head of young Herakles r. in lion-skin headdress, paws tied at neck.
ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡOΥ Zeus Aëtophoros seated l. on a backless throne; in l. field forepart of ram r.; beneath throne ΔA.
Taylor AJN 29, Damaskos, Series 2.0.1, 54 (this coin), Pl.7, 54 (this coin), dies A9/P9; Price 3202. Damaskos c. 326/5 BC.
(25 mm, 16.92 g, 11h).
Reference: Taylor. L. W. H. "The Damaskos Mint of Alexander the Great." AJN Second Series 29 (2017): 47-100.
n.igmaJul 16, 2018
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Kings of Macedon, Alexander III the Great, 336-323 BC, AR Tetradrachm – Byblos mint c. 321/0 BCHead of young Herakles r. in lion skin headdress, paws tied at neck.
ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡOΥ Zeus Aëtophoros seated l., retrograde B to l., H beneath throne.
Price -.
Previously unrecorded type that based on style and mint controls is attributed Byblos (Berytos of Price) and dated to c. 321/0 BC in a mintage associated with the withdrawal of the Macedonian Royal army from Egypt to Triparadeisos.
(26 mm, 16.72 g, 9h).
Solidus Numismatik 29 (12 May 2018), Lot 46.
This type is unrecorded in Price. The style together with the retrograde B mint control associate it with the small series of Alexander issues attributed to Berytos by Price, now reattributed to Byblos. It appears that this coinage was struck to help meet the arrears in army pay that resulted from the abortive campaign led by Perdikkas against Ptolemy in Egypt. Perdikkas was assassinated and as the Macedonian Royal army withdrew to Triparadeisos the matter of arrears in pay became a festering issue with the infantry. In an effort to placate the troops it appears that a mint at Byblos was established to coin available silver for at least a token payment to the army.
n.igmaJul 14, 2018
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Mesopotamia, Mazakes 330-323 BC, AR Tetradrachm Helmeted head of Athena right.
Owl standing left, olive spray and crescent behind, Aramaic legend [MZ]DK to right.
Le Rider, Alexander p. 214-219, pl. 7,15; Van Alfen, Owls Group IV(Babylon); Mitchiner 12(d) (Babylon).
(20 mm, 16.6 g, 10h)
Naville Numismatics 38 (12 March 2018), Lot 144.
The Persian satrap Mazakes voluntarily surrendered Egypt to Alexander the Great in November 332 BC. Based on the numismatic evidence it is believed he was rewarded for this action with a satrapy in Mesopotamia (northern Iraq) accompanied by the right to strike coinage in the form of imitative Athenian 'owls' for local use.
n.igmaApr 04, 2018
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GREEK, SC 68, Price P167 - American Journal of Numismatics Second Series 27: 41-97 : Taylor L. W. H. Triparadeisos to Ipsos Series IV, 189 (this coin), Plate 12, 189 (this coin)Seleukid Kingdom, Seleukos I Nikator, 312-281 BC, AR Tetradrachm - Babylonia, Uncertain Mint 6A
Head of Herakles right wearing lion skin headdress.
ΒΑΣΙΛEΩΣ ФIΛIÎ Î OY Zeus Aëtophoros enthroned left, star symbol beneath throne, Î recut over an earlier mint control in left field.
Taylor, Triparadeisos to Ipsos, Series IV, 189 (this coin), Plate 12, 189 (this coin), dies A50/P1; HGC 9, 11a (same dies); SC 68 (same dies); WSM 1241 (same dies); Price P167 (same dies).
Uncertain Mint 6A in Babylonia, 303-302 BC.
Struck under Seleukos utilising a reverse die from an earlier lifetime Philip issue (Price P160) with the left field mint control recut. Obverse die linked to examples of SC 67 (Alexander), SC 69 (Seleukos) and SC 50.1 (Alexander Uncertain Mint 1).
One of four examples known and the only one outside the ANS (Newell) collection.
(26 mm, 17.0 g, 3h).
Reference: Taylor, L. W. H. 2015. From Triparadeisos to Ipsos: Seleukos I Nikator’s Uncertain Mint 6A in Babylonia.
AJN Second Series 27: 41-97.n.igmaFeb 20, 2017
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Seleukid Kingdom, Seleukos I Nikator, 312-281 BC, AR Tetradrachm - Babylonia, Uncertain Mint 6A Head of Herakles right wearing lion skin headdress.
ΒΑΣΙΛEΩΣ ФIΛIÎ Î OY Zeus Aëtophoros enthroned left, star symbol beneath throne, Î recut over an earlier mint control in left field.
Taylor, Triparadeisos to Ipsos, Series IV, 189 (this coin), Plate 12, 189 (this coin), dies A50/P1; HGC 9, 11a (same dies); SC 68 (same dies); WSM 1241 (same dies); Price P167 (same dies).
Uncertain Mint 6A in Babylonia, 303-302 BC.
Struck under Seleukos utilising a reverse die from an earlier lifetime Philip issue (Price P160) with the left field mint control recut. Obverse die linked to examples of SC 67 (Alexander), SC 69 (Seleukos) and SC 50.1 (Alexander Uncertain Mint 1) .
One of four examples known and the only one outside the ANS (Newell) collection.
(26 mm, 17.0 g, 3h).
This very late posthumous issue in the name of Philip III is a unique numismatic circumstance. It was struck from a Philip III lifetime reverse die used about twelve years previously, paired to an obverse die that was also used to strike coins in the name of Alexander and Seleukos. This was not a matter of happenstance, but rather a deliberate pairing of dies that symbolically linked the name of Seleukos to the preceding Argead kings in a ritual numismatic statement of legitimacy. This occurred in Uncertain Mint 6A, which by this time was a mobile military mint, attached to the army of Seleukos on the campaign to Ipsos. This ritual symbolic numismatic acclamation of kingship paralleled the acclamation of Seleukos as king by the assembled army in a long-standing Macedonian tradition.
Reference: Taylor, L. W. H. 2015. From Triparadeisos to Ipsos: Seleukos I Nikator’s Uncertain Mint 6A in Babylonia. AJN Second Series 27: 41-97.n.igmaFeb 19, 2017
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Argolis, Hermione, ca. 280-250 BC, AR Triobol Wreathed head of Demeter Chthonia left.
EP monogram above ΔI, all within wreath of grain.
BCD Peloponnesos 1302 (this coin); HGC 5, 748; Grandjean, Monnayage Group II, Emission 8, D16/R25 (this coin cited).
(15 mm, 2.58 g, 11h)
Auctiones GmbH 47, 24 April 2016, 25; ex- BCD Collection: LHS Numismatics 96, 8-9 May 2006, 1302; ex- GMRH, May 1979, SFr 500 (per BCD ticket); ex- Ashmolean Museum from the E.S.G. Robinson Collection, donated to the Ashmolean, disposed of as a duplicate.
This coin has a notable provenance that can be traced back to the collection of Edward Stanley Gotch Robinson (1887-1976) a classical numismatist and the Keeper of the Coin and Medal Department at the British Museum 1949-1952. He endowed the Ashmolean with his coin collection in 1964. Within three years of his death the Ashmolean disposed of this coin from the collection, despite the type being extremely rare. That's gratitude for you!n.igmaMay 10, 2016
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Seleukid Kingdom, Antiochos I Soter, 281-261 BC, AR Tetradrachm - Seleukeia on Tigris Diademed head of the mature Antiochos right.
ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ANTIOXOY (of King Antiochos) Apollo seated left on omphalos, examining arrow held in right hand and resting left on bow, monograms in outer left (ПA) and outer right (HP) fields
SC 379.1; ESM 143; Sear GCV 6866 var.; HGC 9, 128g. Seleukeia on the Tigris mint.
(32 mm, 16.91 g, 1h).
Freeman & Sear.
Antiochos I, the son of Seleukos I came to the throne at age 44, having already been ruler of the Eastern satrapies from ca. 294 BC. Little is known of the detail of Antiochos’ reign other than the fact that he was victorious over Galatian invaders of Asia Minor in 273 BC, which earned him the title of “Soter“(Saviour). He was the first of his line to place his own portrait on his coinage. He also introduced the Apollo on omphalos reverse that became the most recognizable symbol of the Seleukid dynasty. n.igmaMay 08, 2016
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Baktrian Kingdom, Antimachos I, ca. 175-165 BC, AR DrachmDiademed head of Antimachos right wearing kausia.
ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΘEOY ANTIMAXOY (of King Antimachos a God) Poseidon standing facing, holding trident and palm branch, KP monogram in lower right field.
Bopearachchi Series 2A; SNG ANS 9, 279; Mitchiner 124b; HGC 12; 109; Sear GCV 7545.
(19 mm, 4.2 g, 12h).
Freeman & Sear Mail Bid Auction 13, Aug. 2006, 278; from the F. Martin Post Collection.
n.igmaMay 08, 2016
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Baktrian Kingdom, Agathokles I, ca. 185-170 BC, Æ Square Unit Female Hindu deity Laksmi advancing left holding lotus, Rajane Agathukleyasa in Kharoshthi script.
BAΣIΛEΩΣ AΓAΘOKΛEOYΣ Lioness standing right, Greek inscription above and below.
SNG ANS 9, 246; Mitchiner 152; HGC 12, 98; Sear GCV 7558.
(18 x 19.5 mm, 11.6 g, 12h).
Ancient Imports.
This and the following Æ Square Unit of Pantaleon are amongst the first of the bilingual coins issued by the Graeco-Bactrian rulers south of the Hindu Kush.
n.igmaMay 08, 2016
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Baktrian Kingdom, Pantaleon I, ca. 185-180 BC, Æ Square Unit Female Hindu deity Laksmi advancing left holding lotus, Rajane Patalevasa in Kharoshthi script.
ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΠANTAΛEONT[OYΣ] Lioness standing right
SNG ANS 9, 265; Mitchiner 161; HGC 12, 105; Sear GCV 7564. Pushkalavati mint.
(22 x19 mm, 11.25 g, 12h).
Numismatic Fine Arts Dec. 1982, 254; ex-Superior Jun. 1978, 2387; ex- Bolender, Oct. 1946.
Pantaleon is inferred to have been a brother of Euthydemos II and Agathokles. Based on the numismatic evidence, he appears to have reigned for a brief period in co-regency with his other brother Agathokles and possibly his uncle Antimachos, following the death of Euthydemos II. His coinage is the rarest of the of the Euthydemid rulers, suggesting that he was quickly dispatched by the usurper Eukratides.n.igmaMay 08, 2016
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Baktrian Kingdom, Apollodotos I, ca. 175-165 BC Æ Quadruple UnitΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ AΠΟΛΛΟΔΟΤΟY ΣΩΤHPOΣ (of King Apollodotos Savior) Apollo standing facing holding bow and arrow.
Tripod on stand in dotted square border outside which Maharajas Apaladasta Iradasa (of King Apollodotos Savior) in Kharoshthi script (reverse image in photo above is inverted).
Mitchiner 209a; Bopearachchi 6A; SNG ANS 9, 346; HGC 12, 41; Sear GCV 7594.
(22 x 21 mm, 12h).
CNG e-Auction 162, 11 Apr. 2007, 134.
Apollodotos was a contemporary of the later Euthydemid rulers, Agathokles, Pantaleon and Antimachos. His Greek coinage is rare with only less than a dozen portrait tetradrachm specimens known. Almost all of his coinage adhered to south Indian traditions, with bi-lingual Greek and Kharoshthi legends and non-portrait types struck on square flans, either elephant and bull on his silver, or Apollo and tripod on the bronze. From this coinage, which comprises the only evidence for his reign, it appears that Apollodotos administered his territories south of the Hindu Kush. The imagery on Apollodotos’ coins breaks with the tradition of the Euthydemid dynasty, portraying seated Athena on the tetradrachms (in the style of the reverse of Lysimachos coinage) and a standing Apollo on AE issues, reminiscent of the Seleukid coinage. Eukratides may have retained him as a provincial ruler through the struggle for power.n.igmaMay 08, 2016
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Baktrian Kingdom, Diodotos II, ca. 240-230 BC, Æ Double Unit Laureate head of Zeus right.
ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΔIOΔITOY Artemis right holding transverse torch; star to right.
HGC 12, 27; SNG ANS 9, 96; Mitchiner 82; Holt Ι2; Kritt Ι2; Sear GCV 7504 var. (hound at Artemis feet). Ai Khanoum mint.
(22 mm, 9.6 g, 6h).
Sayles & Lavender.
Artemis depicted on the reverse of this coin was the twin sister of Apollo and goddess of the Moon. A huntress with legendary skills in archery, she brought fertility to the land and special protection to women in childbirth. The historian Frank Holt wrote ‘A better patron goddess for a city such as Ai Khanoum could not have been found. It may only be coincidence, but the choice of Artemis as one female type for this city has a faint echo down through the ages. The ancient Greek name of the polis has vanished from history, but its current appellation derives from Turko-Uzbek and means “Lady Moon”. Local legends offer several explanations and identify various important women as the eponymous hero of the site. For example, local village women still bring votive offerings to a “Lady Moon”, protector of mothers and infants. Another “Lady Moon” was associated with irrigation canals and yet another with control over the rivers that flowed by the walls of the city. Such “modern” folktales reverberate with ancient echoes of Artemis/Anahita, goddess of the moon, mistress of the fertilizing waters, and guardian of women in childbirth.’n.igmaMay 08, 2016
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Baktrian Kingdom, Demetrios I, ca. 200-185 BC, Æ Dichalkon Draped bust of Herakles right, wearing oak wreath, with club over shoulder.
ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΔHMHTPIOY Artemis, radiate, standing facing, holding bow and drawing arrow from quiver; monogram to inner right.
Bopearachchi 4C; SNG ANS 9, 204; HGC 12, 68; Sear GCV 7534.
(24 mm, 7.24 g, 12h).
CNG eAuction 337, 22 Oct. 2014, 169.
n.igmaMay 08, 2016
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Egypt, Memphis or Aswan (?), Satrap Sabakes, 335-333 BC, AR TetradrachmHead of Athena right with punch mark X on cheek.
Owl standing right, head facing, crescent and olive spray to left, crescent above a stylized thunderbolt (Sabakes symbol) and Aramaic legend SWYN (Aswan) to right, punch mark X on owl.
Nicolet-Pierre 6, D4/R-; SNG Copenhagen 3; Van Alfen Type I, O4/R-; Mitchiner 10a; Sear GCV 6232. Van Alfen (AJN 14 2002) countermark 3 on obv. & rev.
(24 mm, 16.91 g, 9h).
From LWHT Col.; HJB 166, 15 October 2009, 176.
Sabakes, to whom the issue of this coin type is attributed, was the penultimate Persian Satrap of Egypt. In 333 BC he led a contingent from Egypt to join the Persian army facing Alexander the Great at Issos, where he perished in battle. It is likely that this coin was struck under his governorship, perhaps for use as payment in preparations for the expeditionary force in support of Darius III. Counter marks are commonly present on these coins and most of the surviving examples are worn, indicating an extended period of circulation. This is consistent with the fact that the next coinage to be struck in Egypt was almost a decade later, shortly after the death of Alexander the Great.
n.igmaMay 01, 2016
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Baktrian Kingdom, Eukratides I, ca. 171-145 BC, AR TetradrachmDiademed and draped bust of a mature Eukratides right, wearing a crested helmet decorated with ear and horn of a bull.
ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ MEΓAΛOY EYKPATIΔOY (of King Eukratides the Great) Dioskouroi on horseback charging right, carrying spears and palm branches, ΦΛΩ monogram beneath hooves right.
Bopearachchi Series. 6 O; SNG ANS 9, 467; Mitchiner 177a; Qunduz 135-136; HGC 12, 131; Sear GCV 7570 var. (monogram).
(32 mm, 15.81 g, 12h).
HJB 151, Nov. 2006, 221; ex- Coin Galleries 21 Nov. 1974, 371.
The epithet MEΓAΛOY (Great) indicates that this coin was struck at the apogee of Eukratides power, following the complete conquest of the Baktria.
n.igmaMay 01, 2016
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Baktrian Kingdom, Eukratides I, ca. 171-145 BC, AR Tetradrachm Diademed bust of a youthful Eukratides right.
ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ EYKPATIΔOY (of King Eukratides) Dioskouroi on horseback charging right, carrying spears and palm branches, PK monogram to lower right.
Bopearachchi Series1B; SNG ANS 9, 431; Mitchiner 168(f); Qunduz 108-114; HGC 12, 130; Sear GCV 7568.
(32 mm, 16.75 g, 12h).
From LWHT Col.; CNG 73, 13 Sep. 2006, 535.
Eukratides I came to power in a revolt against the Euthydemid dynasty commencing around 171 BC and continuing for a decade. He extended his dominion to include all of Baktria and its realms both north and south of the Hindu Kush. Around 145 BC, Eukratides was murdered by his one of his own sons, probably Plato. By this time Baktria was weakened by the protracted struggle for power. The demise of Eukratides provided a catalyst for Scythian nomads to cross the Oxus, eventually to overrun Baktria. The city of Ai Khanoum appears to have been amongst the first to fall to invaders. This is evidenced by the fact that no coins later than those of Eukratides have been found in the excavations at Ai Khanoum. Within a decade Baktria had fragmented, overrun by Scythian nomads from the north, with the possible exception of a small Greek enclave in the eastern foothills of the Hindu Kush and the associated valley passes that led to the south and the Kabul Valley. A small remnant Greek civilization remained for another century to the south of the Hindu Kush before being overrun.
n.igmaMay 01, 2016
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Baktrian Kingdom, Euthydemos I, ca. 230-200 BC, Æ Dichalkon Head of Heracles right.
ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ EYΘYΔHMOY above and below horse prancing right.
SNG ANS 9, 146-165; Kritt AK-1; Mitchiner 87; HGC 12, 53.
Ai Khanoum 225-208/6 BC.
(24 mm, ca. 8 g, 6h).
The fabric of this coin, characterized by its thick flan and beveled obverse edge, plus the 6 o’clock die axis, indicate that it is a product of the mint at Ai Khanoum. This coin type was the most abundant in the Ai Khanoum excavations with 48 examples recorded. The issue preceded the invasion of Baktria and the capture of Ai Khanoum by Antiochos III in 208-206 BC. Subsequent Euthydemid bronze coinage was restricted to the mint at Baktra/Balkh, typified by a coin fabric consisting of a thin flan.
n.igmaApr 16, 2016
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Baktrian Kingdom, Euthydemos I, ca. 230-200 BC, AR Tetradrachm Diademed youthful head right.
ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ EYΘYΔHMOY (of King Euthydemos). Herakles seated left on rocks, holding club set on rocks; monogram lower right field.
Kritt A1; Bopearachchi 5B; SNG ANS 9,125; HGC 12, 40; Mitchiner 85c; Qunduz 10-11.
Mint “A” - Ai Khanoum ca. 230 BC.
(28 mm, 16.38 g, 6h).
CNG eAuction 170, 8 Aug. 2007, 138.
Euthydemos I overthrew Diodotos II around 230 BC. This coin is amongst the first issued by Euthydemos. The inverted die axes convention with which it was struck is a characteristic of Mint “A” (Ai Khanoum) in the preceding Diodotid era. This was changed to parallel die axes convention in the early years of the reign of Euthydemos. Late in Euthydemos reign, Antiochos III the Great, sought to reimpose Seleukid authority over Baktria. Euthydemos withstood a two year siege by Antiochos at the fortress city of Baktra in 208-206 BC at the conclusion of which Antiochos was forced to recognize an independent Baktria. Demetrios, the son of Euthydemos, succeeded the latter around 200 BC and extended the kingdom south into the Kabul Valley and northwest Pakistan. However, the Euthydemid dynasty was destroyed by Eukratides I who progressively deposed the successors of Demetrios I.
The reverse image of a “weary Herakles” on the Euthydemos series of tetradrachms is noteworthy for its antecedents in the Lydian issues of Antiochus II. The ancient historian Polybius noted that Euthydemos came from Magnesia. However, which of three possible cities or regions called Magnesia remains uncertain. Based on the similarity of the reverse image of Euthydemos’ silver coins with those of the Lydian types, it is inferred that he may have come from Magnesia ad Sipylum in Lydia where he could have been exposed to the” weary Herakles” issues prior to his migration to Baktria. Such being the case, Euthydemos could not have been born much later than 270 BC, in which case he would have been in his seventies at the time of his death. The aged portrait on the last of his coinage tends to confirm this inference.n.igmaApr 16, 2016
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Baktrian Kingdom, Euthydemos I, ca. 230-200 BC, AR Tetradrachm Diademed head of a relatively youthful Euthydemos right.
ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ EYΘYΔHMOY Herakles seated left on rock, resting club on pile of rocks, monogram in inner right field, letter A in exergue.
Bopearachchi Series 5C; SNG ANS 9, 137 (same reverse die); Kritt, A8; HGC 12, 40.
Mint “A” - Ai Khanoum ca. 225-220/215 BC.
(29 mm, 16.7 g, 12h).
CNG 782054; ex- Semon Lipcer Coll.; ex- CNG 63, May 2003, 923.
n.igmaApr 16, 2016
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Baktrian Kingdom, Euthydemos I, ca. 230-200 BC, AR Tetradrachm Diademed head of the mature Euthydemos right.
ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ EYΘYΔHMOY (of King Euthydemos). Herakles seated left on rock, resting club on pile of rocks, monogram in inner right field. Die shift in lower field with some minor scratches.
Bopearachchi Series 5B; SNG ANS 9, 131; Kritt A14; Mitchiner 85c; Qunduz12-14; HGC 12, 40; Sear 7514.
Mint “A” - Ai Khanoum ca. 215-208 BC.
(29 mm, 16.96 g, 12h).
Pars Coins.
This depiction of Euthydemos on the obverse of this coin has a portrait quality. It probably closely approximates the features of the ruler in middle age.
n.igmaApr 16, 2016
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Baktrian Kingdom, Euthydemos I, ca. 230-200 BC, AR Tetradrachm Diademed head of an elderly Euthydemos right.
ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ EYΘYΔHMOY Herakles seated left on rock, resting club on thigh, PK monogram in inner right field.
SNG ANS 9, 141-142; Kritt B17; Mitchiner 94a; Qunduz 19-20; HGC 12, 43; Sear GCV 7516.
Mint “B” – Baktra ca. 206-200 BC.
(26 mm, 15.92 g, 12h).
Realms Ancient Coins; ex- CNG.
The coinage portraits of Euthydemos range from youthful to elderly, reflecting the thirty year duration of his reign, which is inferred to have ended as early as 200 BC by recent workers (Kritt), or as late as 190 BC by earlier workers (Mitchiner). This portrayal probably represents the king in his sixties or seventies, after the invasion of Baktria by Antiochos III. The late life portrayal of Euthydemos is considered to be amongst the finest Hellenistic numismatic art. It shows a world weary, perhaps dissolute figure, for who the exercise of power has become as much a burden as a benefit. The Euthydemos series extending from youth to late life is almost unique in it’s true to life representation of the physical process of aging; the vitality and optimism of youth gradually replaced by the weariness of age, all captured in the progression of the portraits of Euthydemos.
n.igmaApr 16, 2016
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Baktrian Kingdom, Diodotos I, ca. 255/250-240 BC, AR Tetradrachm Diademed head of the Diodotos I right.
ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ANTIOXOY (of King Antiochos). Zeus striding left, hurling thunderbolt in right hand, aegis over extended left arm; eagle standing in lower inner left, monogram in left field above eagle.
SC 628 (b); Holt A2 (Holt A2 example 2 = this coin); Bopearachchi 2E; Mitchiner 64c; Kritt, Dynastic Transitions Type A2 (Plate 1, page 19); HGC 9, 243. Mint “A”- Ai Khanoum ca. 255-250 BC.
(29 mm, 16.92 g, 6h).
Eukratides Ancient Numismatics: ex- William K. Raymond Collection; ex- Kovacs (1997)
The Kingdom of Baktria was created from the Seleukid province of Bactro-Sogdiana when the satrap Diodotos I began to act independently of the Seleukid king, Antiochos II around 256 BC. The first step towards independence came with the issue of coinage depicting Diodotos I, rather than the Seleukid king, Antiochos II. On their reverse the coins bear the image of a striding Zeus, rather than the Seleukid patron god Apollo. Yet the coinage maintains the legend ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ANTIOXOY indicating nominal servitude to the Seleukid king. This legend remained unchanged despite the accession to the throne of Seleukos III in 246 BC. In effect, this denies any allegiance to the latter king, while at the same time attesting to the legitimacy of Diodotos’ claim to the throne via his initial appointment under Antiochos II. Following the death of Diodotos I around 240 BC his son, Diodotos II, adopted the title of king, altering the legend of the coinage to that of ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΔIOΔITOY, an unequivocal statement of independence.
n.igmaApr 15, 2016
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Baktrian Kingdom, Diodotos II, ca. 240-230 BC, AR Tetradrachm Posthumous diademed idealised head of Diodotos I right.
ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΔIOΔITOY (of King Diodotos). Zeus striding left, hurling thunderbolt in right hand, aegis over extended left arm; eagle standing at his feet.
Holt B2 (Holt B2 example 3 = this coin); Kritt B2; Bopearachchi 6A; SNG ANS 9, 87; Qunduz 8; HGC 12, 21. Struck ca. 230 BC at Mint "B" - Baktra.
(25 mm, 16.42 g, 6h).
CNG 778209; ex -CNG e-Auction 124, October 2005, 139 (incorrectly attributed as Holt B1); ex- Munz und Medaillen Fixed Price List 332 (1972).
The coin was struck shortly before Euthydemos overthrew Diodotos II. The idealised posthumous image of Diodotos I on the obverse was a statement of the legitimacy of the right of Diodotos II to the throne of Baktria, as the lineal successor to Diodotos I. This B2 issue is distinguished from the preceding B1 type by the absence of a wreath beneath the extended arm of Zeus on the reverse. Holt suggested that the removal of the wreath from coinage followed Diodotos II’s treaty with the Parthians. The wreath is believed to have been instituted as a celebration of Diodotos I victory over Arsaces in the previous decade and thus potentially perceived as an insult to the Parthians on consummation of the treaty.
n.igmaApr 15, 2016
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Baktrian Kingdom, Diodotos II, ca. 240-230 BC, Æ Double UnitHead of Hermes right, wearing petasos.
ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΔIOΔITOY (of King Diodotos). Athena facing, spear in right hand, shield in left.
HGC 12, 25; Bopearachchi Serie 12A; SNG ANS 9, 102; Mitchiner 79a; Holt H1; Kritt H1; Sear 7505. Ai Khanoum mint.
(20 mm, 7.12 g, 6h).
CNG eAuction 158, 14 Feb. 2007, 63.
n.igmaApr 15, 2016
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Kings of Macedon, Alexander III The Great, 336-323 BC, AR Tetradrachm – Damaskos c. 326/5BCHead of Herakles right in lion-skin headdress, paws tied at neck.
ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡOΥ Zeus Aëtophoros seated left on a backless throne; in left field forepart of ram right; beneath throne two pellets above strut, ΔA below.
Taylor AJN 29, Damaskos, Series 2.2.2, 202 (this coin), Pl.11, 202 (this coin), dies A14/P7; Price 3204. Damaskos c. 326/5 BC.
(25 mm, 17.01 g, 11h).
Reference: Taylor. L. W. H. "The Damaskos Mint of Alexander the Great." AJN Second Series 29 (2017): 47-100.
The Alexander mint at Damaskos (Damascus) opened for a brief period in the mid 320’s. The reason and purpose behind its brief operation have not been established. However, its coinage was the fourth most abundant in the Demanhur Hoard with all Damaskos issues represented. The reverse of the Damaskos iissues, bearing a portrayal of Zeus seated with parallel legs and a legend absent the royal title suggests that the mint closed before the death of Alexander III the Great
n.igmaApr 14, 2016
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Seleukid Kingdom, Seleukos I Nikator, 312-281 BC, AR Tetradrachm - Babylon I ca. 308/7 BCHead of Herakles right wearing lion skin headdress.
ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ AΛΕΞANΔPOY Zeus Aëtophoros seated left, MI in left K(?)Λ beneath throne.
Price -; SC -. Previously undocumented type best placed immediately following Price 3771 in the Babylon I sequence.
(29 mm, 17.1 g, 9h)
Naville 21, 20 March 2016, 96.
The mint controls and style place this coin as an issue of Babylon, struck immediately after the conclusion of the Babylonian War in 308 BC. This event was associated with the removal of a wreathed mint control monogram associated with Antigonos Monopthalmos from coinage also bearing the left field MI control. The MI control was used on Price 3745- 3771 all of which are associated with the victory wreathed control signifying Antigonos supremacy as strategos of Asia. The KΛ control beneath the throne was previously used on Babylon I issues (Price 3711-3713) struck in the final stage of Seleukos’s first satrapy and in the immediate aftermath of his flight to Egypt. Based on the previous association and usage of these mint controls, this coin most probably represents the last of MI mint control issues, the first after the defeat of Antigonos by Seleukos. In Price’s sequence, it is best placed immediately following Price 3771; the earliest issue of Babylon I under the control of Seleukos following the Babylonian War. n.igmaApr 11, 2016
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Seleukid Kingdom, Seleukos I Nikator, 312-281 BC, AR Tetradrachm – Uncertain Mint 4Head of Herakles right wearing lion-skin headdress.
ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ reading up on left, ΣEΛΓYKOY (misspelled with Γ rather than E) reading down on right, Zeus Aëtophoros seated left, ΣΕ monogram to left, circled ΜΗY monogram beneath throne.
SC 60.2; HGC 9, 12d (R2-3); WSM 1342 (same obverse die).
Uncertain Mint 4 in Cappadocia, Eastern Syria, or Northern Mesopotamia 301-281 BC.
(26 mm, 17.15 g, 5h).
Naville 21, 20 March 2016, 97.
Seleucid Coins (p. 33) notes the declining competence exhibited by reverse dies in the series to which this coin belongs. This is a characteristic along with the mint controls, shared with some of the later issues of Uncertain Mints 6A/1, perhaps pointing to the mobile military nature of the mint and resultant variable access to skilled engravers. The misspelled legend fits with this observation.
n.igmaApr 11, 2016
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GREEK, Antioche de Syrie, p. 46, pl.4, G (this coin), Seleucid Coins 534.3 (this coin illustrated on Plate 25)Seleukid Kingdom, Antiochos II Theos, 261-246 BC, AR Tetradrachm - Tralles
Diademed head of Antiochos II right.
ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ANTIOXOY Apollo seated left on omphalos, holding arrow with left hand resting on bow; YA monogram in inner left field and ME in exergue.
Antioche de Syrie, p. 46, pl.4, G (this coin) dies A1-P5, referenced to W K Raymond coll., Fresno California; SC 534.3 (this coin - illustrated on Plate 25); HGC 9, 238i.
Tralles mint.
(30 mm, 16.45 g, 12h).
ex- Eukratides Ancient Numismatics; consigned from the William K. Raymond Collection.
This coin is referenced in Seleucid Coins (Volume I page 190 and Volume II Plate 25) with the comment, ‘Antioche de Syrie p.46. 14. Pl 4 G dies A1-P5 in W. K. Raymond coll, Fresno, California. Obverse die link with cat. Nos. 534.1-2 above, die in a very worn state, reverse die of barbarous style’. In describing the series to which this coin belongs, Seleucid Coins notes that it employs an obverse die of fine style, which after receiving considerable wear, is ultimately paired with a barbarous reverse die.
Tralles where this coin was struck was located in Ionia, about 50 kilometres inland from Ephesus.
References:
Georges le Rider. Antioche de Syrie sous les Séleucides Corpus des monnaies d'or et d'argent. I: De Séleucos I à Antiochos V, c. 300-161. Académie des Inscriptions et Belles-Lettres, 1999.
Houghton A. and Lorber C. Seleucid Coins A Comprehensive Catalogue Part I Seleucus I through Antiochus III Volumes I & II. The American Numismatic Society, New York in association with Classical Numismatic Group Inc Lancaster/London 2002. n.igmaNov 15, 2015
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Lydia, Uncertain Mint, 4th Century BC, Æ 11Head of Dionysos wreathed with ivy left.
Kantharos, between two letters 8-Æ· (largely off-flan) being F (in Lydian) and S (in Lydian).
Unpublished in the standard references, c.f. CNG 100 (7 Oct. 2015) Lot 1487; Vögtli, Pergamon 524; CNG eAuction 248, lot 119 (Syros).
(11 mm, 1.456 g, 10h).
ex- Forum Ancient Coins.
This coin was acquired with an attribution "unknown". Subsequently, CNG and others attributed the type to the Cycladic islands, either Syros, or Naxos Some years later this was corrected by CNG to an uncertain Lydian mint, possibly Sardes.
CNG Auction 100 note: "In previous sales, this issue has been variously attributed to either Cycladic Naxos or Syros. While both cities struck coins with the same types as on this issue, all of these cities’ bronzes consistently bear the first two letters of their respective ethnic flanking the base of the kantharos. On this issue, however, these Greek letters have been replaced by two Lydian letters, allowing its correct attribution to a mint in Lydia. Sardes is a possibility, as it’s spelling in Lydian was Sfard."n.igmaAug 29, 2015
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Zeugitana, Carthage, ca. 230-220 BC, AE 25Head of Tanit left, wearing wreath of ears of wheat, single drop pendant earring and necklace.
Horse standing right, radiate sun-disk flanked by uraei above, Punic letter ayin in right field.
Viola, Corpus Numorum Punicorum (2010) 46d; Visona (AJN 10) 37; SNG Copenhagen 260.
(25 mm, 12.87 g, 12h).
Harlan J Berk 193, 30 April 2015, 380. n.igmaMay 19, 2015
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Baktrian Kingdom, Eukratides I, ca. 171-145 BC, AR Tetradrachm ΒΑΣΙΛΕYΣ MEΓAΣ EYKPATIΔHΣ Diademed and draped bust of a mature Eukratides right, wearing a crested helmet decorated with ear and horn of a bull.
HΛIOKΛIOΣ KAI ΛAOΔIKHΣ Co-joined busts facing right of Eukratides parents, Heliokles and Laodike, ΦΛΩ monogram to left.
Bopearachchi Series 15 A; SNG ANS 526-527; Mitchiner 182a; Qunduz 245-246; HGC 12, 133; Sear 7572.
(30 mm, 16.16 g, 12h).
Gorny & Mosch Giessener Munzhandlung Auction 126, October 2003, 1534.
The distinctive reddish black remnant patina of this coin is a characteristic of the silver coins from the Mir Zakah deposit. It is probably from this, the largest hoard of coins ever found, that the coin is derived.
This issue may have been inspired by the earlier “pedigree” coinage of Agathokles and Pantaleon, but equally likely given the many apparent anomalies associated with the issue, is that it was issued by the parents of Eukratides as statement of their position and prestige in Baktrian society. Heliokles’ bare head indicates that he was not a king, whereas the diadem on Laodike’s head suggests that she was of royal blood. Tarn identified her as a Seleukid princess, daughter of Seleukos II and sister of Antiochus III. On the other hand, Hollis in Laodike Mother of Eucratides of Baktria makes a plausible case that Laodike was the daughter of Antiochos III. Hollis argues that Eukratides was in this way connected to the Seleukid royal family and was perhaps facilitated by the latter in his endeavor to seize the Baktrian throne.
This coinage has a number of curious characteristics. The legend on this coin names Eukratides is in the nominative case, so that it serves to label his portrait rather than to identify him as the issuing authority of the coinage. The legend naming his parents, on the other hand, is in the genitive, normally used to indicate a filial relationship an argument supported by Hollis. However, it could also imply that Heliokles and Laodike had authorized the coinage. Both sides of the coin have defined filleted borders, unique in the coinage of Eukratides. All other issues bear only an obverse border around the image of the king. The fabric of these coins indicates that Heliokles and Laodike occupy the obverse, anvil struck side of the coin. Nevertheless, they are most frequently described in the opposite manner, in accord with the convention that the ruler occupies the obverse side of the coin.n.igmaMay 10, 2015
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Baktrian Kingdom, Agathokles I, ca. 185-170 BC, AR Tetradrachm EYΘYΔHMOY ΘEOY (Euthydemos God) Diademed head of Euthydemos right.
ΒΑΣΙΛΕYONTOΣ AΓAΘOKΛEOYΣ ΔIKAIOY (of King Agathokles the Just) Herakles seated on rock, holding club set on rocks; ΦΩΛ monogram lower right field.
Bopearachchi 16B; SNG ANS 261, Mitchiner 145; HGC 12, 87.
This coin referenced in Frank L. Holt Lost World of the Golden King: In Search of Ancient Afghanistan p.203 and Chapter 8 end note 75.
(31 mm, 16.67 g, 12h).
Agathokles and Antimachos issued “pedigree” tetradrachms in the later years of the struggle for regency with Eukratides. Such coins sought to assert the legitimacy of the incumbent Euthydemid rulers through association with forbears and even unrelated predecessors back to Alexander.
An iron pin pierces this coin accompanied by the remains of an iron suspension loop that has been incompletely removed. This is the remains of an attachment placed in a manner to avoid defacing the image of Euthydemos. The careful attachment of this coin for its use as an item of display may have been an overt statement of loyalty to the Euthydemid line during the struggle with Eukratides. n.igmaMay 10, 2015
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GREEK, Miller & Hoover AJN 22 (2010), 41 (this coin illustrated on plate 14) Seleukid Kingdom, Seleukos I Nikator, 312-281 BC, AR Tetradrachm - Sardis 282-281 BC
Head of Herakles right wearing lion-skin headdress.
ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΣEΛEYKOY Zeus Nikephoros seated left, EP monogram to left, AΣ beneath throne.
SC 3.3a; HGC 9, 16a; Miller & Hoover AJN 22 (2010), 41 (this coin illustrated on plate 14) dies A1/P7; Nelson "Seleucus I" Hoard (CH 10.265) 726-732 (this coin); WSM 1352 α, A1/ P7.
Seleukos’ military mint at Sardis 282-281 BC.
(25 mm, 17.12 g, 12h).
ex- Commerce "Seleucus I" Hoard (CH 10.265).
References:
Miller, R. P. and O. D. Hoover. 2010. The Sardes Mint under Seleucus I Nicator. American Journal of Numismatics Second Series, 22, 25-34.
Nelson, B. R. 2010 Commerce (“Seleucus I” Hoard) 2005 (CH 10.265). In CH 10, 73-104.
CH 10 = Hoover, O., A. Meadows and U. Wartenberg, eds. 2010. Coin hoards, Volume X: Greek Hoards. New York: Royal Numismatic Society/American Numismatic Society.n.igmaApr 29, 2015
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Seleukid Kingdom, Antiochos I Soter, 281-261 BC, Æ 15 Three quarter right facing laureate head of Apollo.
ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ANTIOXOY Nike right erecting a trophy; controls outer left and right indecipherable or off-flan.
SC 389; HGC 9, 178 (R1).
Seleukia on the Tigris mint.
(15 mm, 2.67 g, 6h).
Gorny & Mosch 216, 16 October 2013, 2618.
Wonderfully rendered head of Apollo accompanied by a very dynamic Nike; a delightful little bronze! n.igmaApr 28, 2015
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Seleukid Kingdom, Seleukos I Nikator, 312-281 BC, AR Tetradrachm - Sardis 282-281 BC Head of Herakles right wearing lion-skin headdress.
ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΣEΛEYKOY Zeus Nikephoros seated left, EP monogram to left, AΣ beneath throne.
SC 3.3a; HGC 9, 16a; Miller & Hoover AJN 22 (2010), 41 (this coin illustrated on plate 14) dies A1/P7; Nelson "Seleucus I" Hoard (CH 10.265) 726-732 (this coin); WSM 1352 α, A1/ P7.
Seleukos’ military mint at Sardis 282-281 BC.
(25 mm, 17.12 g, 12h).
ex- Commerce "Seleucus I" Hoard (CH 10.265).
This coin was struck in 282 BC following the fall of the city of Sardis to Seleukos, during the preliminaries of the campaign that delivered the decisive victory over Lysimachos at Korupedion, in the late summer of 281 BC. Six months later Seleukos was assassinated aged seventy-seven years.
Struck from the first obverse and seventh reverse die in the series, this coin is interpreted by Miller and Hoover (The Sardes Mint under Seleucus I Nicator) to have originated from a military mint operation associated with Seleukos army. The obverse bears a striking resemblance to the last die used at Seleukeia in Pieria, to the extent that both dies were almost certainly engraved by the same hand. This led Miller and Hoover to propose that …Stylistic affinities between the first die of Sardes and the last of Seleucia in Pieria raise the possibility that the equipment and personnel of the latter may have been moved to Sardes to serve as a supplemental military mint.
The Commerce ("Seleucus I") Hoard 2005 (CH 10.265), from which the coin originates, is believed to have been a part of Seleukos’ treasury at the time he was assassinated by Ptolemy Keraunos. The hoard was found in an undisclosed location in Asia Minor. Its composition is inferred from 1,721 coins in commerce in 2005-06, although the total hoard is believed to have consisted of more than 3,000 coins. The hoard closed around 281 BC at the time of the murder of Seleukos.
References:
Miller, R. P. and O. D. Hoover. 2010. The Sardes Mint under Seleucus I Nicator. American Journal of Numismatics Second Series, 22, 25-34.
Nelson, B. R. 2010 Commerce (“Seleucus I” Hoard) 2005 (CH 10.265). In CH 10, 73-104.
CH 10 = Hoover, O., A. Meadows and U. Wartenberg, eds. 2010. Coin hoards, Volume X: Greek Hoards. New York: Royal Numismatic Society/American Numismatic Society.
n.igmaApr 27, 2015
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GREEK, CSE 937 (this coin); CSE Plate 56, 937 (this coin)Seleukid Kingdom, Seleukos I Nikator, 312-281 BC, AR Tetradrachm - Seleukeia on the Tigris
Head of Herakles right wearing lion skin headdress.
ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΣEΛEYKOY Zeus Nikephoros seated left, NO in left field.
SC 119.3(a); HGC 9, 16f; ESM 23 (same dies A27-P79); CSE 937 (this coin); CSE 2, 58 (AHNS 1047).
Seleukeia on the Tigris mint ca. 300-296 BC.
(25 mm, 16.91 g, 12h).
ex-William K. Raymond Collection; ex- Arthur Houghton Collection.
Some time in the last five years of the fourth century BC the mint at Seleukeia on the Tigris opened to issue coinage in the name of Seleukos. Initial issues maintained the Zeus Aëtophoros (eagle) reverse image. However, shortly thereafter, the Zeus Nikephoros (Nike) image was introduced in parallel with the Aëtophoros image. The Nikephoros reverse was a direct allusion to Seleukos victory over Antigonos at Ipsos in 301 BC. This is one of three known examples of SC 119.3(a). The others are ESM 23 in the Danish national collection Copenhagen and CSE 2, 58 (AHNS 1047). Seleucid Coins lists another from the Tricala 1979 hoard (CH IX, 000) in the Athens Numismatic Museum, but this is in fact an example of ESM 24 (Zeus Aëtophoros) that was incorrectly catalogued as ESM 23 by Oeconomides - refer Oeconomides Pl. 66, 109. All noted examples are from the same obverse die. The obverse of this coin is a die match to that of a Zeus Aëtophoros issue with identical NO primary control which is now found in the Berlin collection (ESM 24; Newell Pl V, 4). n.igmaApr 11, 2015
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Seleukid Kingdom, Seleukos I Nikator, 312-281 BC, AR Tetradrachm - Seleukeia on the Tigris Head of Herakles right wearing lion skin headdress.
ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΣEΛEYKOY Zeus Nikephoros seated left, NO in left field.
SC 119.3(a); HGC 9, 16f; ESM 23 (same dies A27-P79); CSE 937 (this coin); CSE 2, 58 (AHNS 1047).
Seleukeia on the Tigris mint ca. 300-296 BC.
(25 mm, 16.91 g, 12h).
ex-William K. Raymond Collection; ex- Arthur Houghton Collection.
Some time in the last five years of the fourth century BC the mint at Seleukeia on the Tigris opened to issue coinage in the name of Seleukos. Initial issues maintained the Zeus Aëtophoros (eagle) reverse image. However, shortly thereafter, the Zeus Nikephoros (Nike) image was introduced in parallel with the Aëtophoros image. The Nikephoros reverse was a direct allusion to Seleukos victory over Antigonos at Ipsos in 301 BC. This is one of three known examples of SC 119.3(a). The others are ESM 23 in the Danish national collection Copenhagen and CSE 2, 58 (AHNS 1047). Seleucid Coins lists another from the Tricala 1979 hoard (CH IX, 000) in the Athens Numismatic Museum, but this is in fact an example of ESM 24 (Zeus Aëtophoros) that was incorrectly catalogued as ESM 23 by Oeconomides - refer Oeconomides Pl. 66, 109. All noted examples are from the same obverse die. The obverse of this coin is a die match to that of a Zeus Aëtophoros issue with identical NO primary control which is now found in the Berlin collection (ESM 24; Newell Pl V, 4).
n.igmaApr 11, 2015
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Parthia, Andragoras, ca. 245-238 BC, AR DrachmHelmeted head of Athena right.
Eagle standing left, head right; grape bunch and leaf on vine with kerykeion (partially off flan) above.
Taylor Birds of a Feather 3.7, 176 (this coin illustrated); HGC 12, 8 var. (no kerykeion) (R2); Bopearachchi, Sophytes 2 var.; SNG ANS 9, 14-16 var. (no kerykeion); Mitchiner 26d.
(13 mm, 3.48 g, 6h).
Classical Numismatic Group Mail Bid Auction 75, 23 May 2007, 613.n.igmaApr 11, 2015
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Seleukid Kingdom, Seleukos I, 305-281 BC, Æ Double - Baktria, Uncertain Mint 19 (Baktra ?)Head of Dioskouros right, wearing a wreathed pilos, all within dotted border (partially visible).
BAΣIΛEΩΣ ΣEΛEYKOY (barely legible) Forepart of horned and bridled horse galloping right, anchor above, circled ΠYMH monogram to right.
ESM 749d var. (obverse monogram); Kritt SCB 45 variant (monogram detail); SC 269.4 var.; HGC 9, 87.
Struck 290/86-281 BC at Houghton & Lorber's Uncertain Baktrian Mint 19 probably Baktra.
(20 mm, 7.76 g, 7h).
This is one of the first Baktrian bronze coins to bear the name of the Seleukos. Twenty-one bronze coins with this iconography are known. Seventeen of these are listed in Kritt’s Seleukid Coins of Baktria catalogue, all attributed to Mint A (Baktra). Kritt noted that one similar coin (Kritt Group 7, 40) was found in the Ai Khanoum excavations. This specimen he considered to be a Mint A (Baktra ?) product, transported to Ai Khanoum in the pattern of trade of the time. Following Kritt’s reasoning, Seleucid Coins attributed this coin type to Uncertain Mint 19 (Kritt’s Mint A), perhaps Baktra, in the period 290/86-281 BC. n.igmaApr 11, 2015
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Seleukid Kingdom, Seleukos I Nikator, 312-281 BC, Æ 21 - Apamea on the Axios Elephant standing right.
ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΣEΛEYKOY Bridled horned horse's head left, anchor beneath.
SC 35; HGC 9, 79; CSE 415; WSM 1128; SNG Spaer 50-52; SNG Copenhagen 40; Sear GCV 6850.
Apamea on the Axios Mint 300-281 BC.
(21 mm, 7.86 g, 12h).
Seleukos I established Apamea on the Axios (a tributary of the upper Orontes River) in Syria around 300 BC. Named in honour of his Baktrian wife, Apama, it was developed on the site of the former Macedonian military colony of Pella. It became the primary Seleukid military depot and arsenal. In Apamea, Seleukos maintained his 500 war elephants and more than 30,000 horses to serve the needs of his cavalry, as well as an arsenal of weaponry and facilities for the manufacture of arms. For the next five generations, Seleukid military campaigns were mounted from Apamea.
The coin type is rare, with all known find locations being located in Syria, but with no control, or design linkages to any other emission from the Seleukid Syrian mints of the time. Newell placed this coin as the sole issue of Apamea during the reign of Seleukos I. This attribution was based on the absence of any linkage to any other Syrian mints and the iconography of the coin, which he felt reflected the military role and significance of Apamea. In the obverse he saw the war elephants, which were the pride of Seleukos’ army, while in the reverse he saw a reference to the powerful Seleukid cavalry, both of which were based at Apamea.
The iconography of the coin bears a striking similarity to the tetradrachm issues of Pergamon in Seleukos name in 281 BC, following the defeat of Lysimachos in the Battle of Korupedion. This short-lived emission is unique. Newell believed that it was possibly inspired by the Apamea bronze coinage, suggesting that the latter may have been struck at the time Seleukos was assembling his forces at Apamea for the decisive encounter with Lysimachos. Some of these coins may then have accompanied his soldiers into Asia Minor, eventually to find their way with his soldiers to Pergamon, where the type served as the model for the brief silver emission celebrating Seleukos’ victory at Korupedion. n.igmaApr 10, 2015
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Seleukid Kingdom, Seleukos I Nikator, 312-281 BC, Æ 19 - Antioch on the Orontes ca. 290 BCMale figure (Dionysos as patron god of war elephants) seated on rock holding ankh (elephant goad).
ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΣEΛEYKOY Horned elephant head right, [Ξ] in exergue.
SC 25; HGC 9, 78; CSE 12; WSM 929.
Struck ca. 290 BC.
(19 mm, 7.09 g, 12h).
Perhaps a few dozen examples of this coin type have survived to this day. This coin may have come from the same recently uncovered hoard, which saw five examples with identical patina come to market ove a period of eighteen months. Newell in WSM recorded seven specimens of this coin type, which he interpreted to be the last issue under Seleukos at Antioch, struck in celebration of Seleukos' victory over Lysimachos at Korupedion in 281 BC. Recently, Lorber and Houghton in "An Early Seleucid Bronze Hoard" (Israel Numismatc Journal 17, 2009-10, p. 15-33) convincingly re-interpreted the obverse motif with an association to the Battle of Ipsos and a probable dating to ca. 290 BC.n.igmaApr 10, 2015
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Seleukid Kingdom, Seleukos I Nikator, 312-281 BC, Æ 19 - Antioch on the Orontes ca. 290 BC Male figure (Dionysos as patron god of war elephants) seated on rock holding ankh (elephant goad).
ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΣEΛEYKOY Horned elephant head right, [Ξ] in exergue.
SC 25; HGC 9, 78; CSE 12; WSM 929.
Struck ca. 290 BC.
(19 mm, 6.47 g, 12h).
Perhaps a few dozen examples of this coin type have survived to this day. This coin may have come from the same recently uncovered hoard, which saw five examples with identical patina come to market ove a period of eighteen months. Newell in WSM recorded seven specimens of this coin type, which he interpreted to be the last issue under Seleukos at Antioch, struck in celebration of Seleukos' victory over Lysimachos at Korupedion in 281 BC. Recently, Lorber and Houghton in "An Early Seleucid Bronze Hoard" (Israel Numismatc Journal 17, 2009-10, p. 15-33) convincingly re-interpreted the obverse motif with an association to the Battle of Ipsos and a probable dating to ca. 290 BC.
n.igmaApr 10, 2015
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Seleukid Kingdom, Seleukos I Nikator, 312-281 BC, Æ 20 - Antioch on the OrontesWinged head of Medusa right.
ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΣEΛEYKY (sic) Indian humped bull butting right, control mark Ξ in exergue.
SC 21.2(b); CSE 9; WSM 925; SNG Spaer 23; HGC 9, 92a; Sear GCV 5852.
Struck ca. 286-281 BC at Antioch on the Orontes.
(20 mm, 7.06 g, 2h).
Note the misspelled legend, missing the letter O in the genitive of the king's name; the only known example of this apparently unrecorded error.
This coin type was produced at many mints across the Seleukid Empire in the last years of Seleukos’ reign. The bull on the reverse is an allusion to a story about Seleukos’ prowess related to us in Appian: "He (Seleukos) was of such a large and powerful frame that once when a wild bull was brought for sacrifice to Alexander and broke loose from his ropes, Seleukos held him alone, with nothing but his bare hands, for which reason his statues are ornamented with horns."
On the frequency with which this coin type appeared at mints across the Seleukid Empire in the final years of Seleukos I, Newell commented that "Such a widespread coinage of a single type would seem to hint at some effort on the part of the central government, towards the end of the reign, to coordinate what had hitherto been a remarkably diverse selection of types on the bronze coinage of the empire. If such an effort was really made, it proved to be but of short duration. For under Antiochus I and his immediate successors, the bronze types again became extremely varied as between mint and mint. Apparently the authorities in charge of several mints were at liberty to select such types for the minor coins as appeared the most appropriate to them. This is one of the reasons why the Seleukid coinages possess so strong an appeal; in contrast, for instance, to the tiresomely narrow range of Ptolemaic types, with their eternal Ammon, Zeus or Isis heads and their never ending eagle reverses.
n.igmaApr 10, 2015
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Seleukid Kingdom, Seleukos I Nikator, 312-281 BC, AR Tetradrachm - SusaLaureate head of Zeus right.
ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΣEΛEYKOY Athena Promachos brandishing spear and shield in a quadriga of horned elephants right, anchor above IΣO monogram in right field, bee beneath.
SC 178.1; Kritt ESMS S-86 El. 43 dies A11/P-; ESM 327; HGC 9, 18c (R1-2). Susa Mint, 283-281 BC.
(25 mm, 17.17 g, 12h).
Freeman & Sear.
An example of the Susa mint transition from biga to quadriga reverse, using an obverse die previously only recorded in the biga series. This obverse die is not found on any of the previously documented (by Newell and Kritt) elephant quadriga coins of the series. It is the only known example that demonstrates an obverse die link between the biga and quadriga emissions. Moreover, the reverse is struck from a die that has some characteristics that suggest it was re-engraved from an elephant biga to an elephant quadriga. As such this coin is amongst the first of the Susa elephant quadriga chariot issues, probably dated to ca. 282 BC. n.igmaApr 06, 2015
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Kings of Macedon, Alexander III The Great, 336-323 BC, AR Tetradrachm – Cyprus, Salamis under NikokreonHead of young Herakles right in lion skin headdress, paws tied at neck.
ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡOΥ Zeus Aëtophoros seated left, bow to left.
Price 3139a (same dies); Newell Salamis 7. The first tetradrachm emission of Salamis ca. 325/4 BC, struck under Nikokreon.
(24 mm, 16.97 g, 12h).
CNG 259 (6 July 2011) Lot 66
After the Battle of Issos, the island of Cyprus surrendered to Alexander III the Great, denying the Persian navy a base in proximity to the westernmost coast of the Mediterranean. Struck from the first set of tetradrachm dies used at the mint, this coin dates to the start of Alexander emissions from Salamis around 325/4 BC. Nikokreon (ca. 331-311/10 BC), under whose authority this coin was issued, succeeded his father Pnytagoras on the throne of Salamis. He had actively supported Alexander in the siege of Tyre and is reported to have paid homage to Alexander after the conqueror’s return from Egypt to Tyre in 331. In return he was left in power to govern Salamis. Following Alexander’s death he allied himself with Ptolemy who in 312 BC placed him in control of the entire island of Cyprus. He died in 311/10 BC after which Cyprus became the focus of the power struggle between the military forces of Ptolemy and Antigonos Monopthalmos.n.igmaApr 04, 2015
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Kings of Macedon, Alexander III the Great, 336-323 BC, AR Tetradrachm - Amphipolis Mint under AntipaterHead of Herakles right, wearing lion skin headdress.
AΛEΞANΔPOY Zeus Aëtophoros seated left; janiform head vase in left field. Graffiti in upper left field - Aramaic kaph (k) and sadhe (s).
Price 6; Troxell, Studies, Issue A3; SNG Cop 660; Muller 853.
Struck at Amphipolis in the period 332-329 BC.
(29 mm, 17.15 g, 2h)
This is one of the first emissions of Alexander’s coinage struck in his homeland, albeit about three years after he departed for Asia Minor. Recent scholarship places the start of Alexander’s distinctive coinage in 333/2 BC at Tarsos, in eastern Asia Minor, shortly after which the design was transferred to Macedonia where Alexander’s coinage was struck under the authority of his regent in Greece, Antipater. Die studies indicate that this coin was from the fourth tetradrachm emission of a mint in Macedonia, most probably Amphipolis. It was most probably struck in the period 332-329 BC. The Aramaic graffiti on the reverse, plus the obverse reverse rim test cut are pointers to the likelihood that this coin travelled beyond its location of issue in Macedonia, into the eastern Mediterranean where Aramaic was the main spoken language.n.igmaApr 04, 2015
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Kings of Macedon, Alexander III The Great, 336-323 BC, AR Tetradrachm - Tarsos Head of young Herakles right in lion skin headdress, paws tied at neck.
ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡOΥ Zeus Aëtophoros seated left, pellet under throne. ΔI monogram graffiti before head of Zeus.
Price 2993; Newell Tarsos 3 (Newell’s Officina A, dies IX/25) pl. II, 2 (same dies); Muller 1291.
Tarsos mint 333/2 BC.
(26 mm, 17.18 g, 11h).
ex- Gorny & Mosch.
Newell catalogued forty examples of this type from six obverse and thirty reverse dies indicating a far more prolific issuance than the inaugural Tarsos 1 emission to which it is die linked by five examples struck with Tarsos obverse die III. All of the specimens of Tarsos 3 catalogued by Newell originated in the Demanhur Hoard. Price did not catalog any additional specimens to those noted by Newell in the British Museum Collection, which holds five specimens from the Newell Collection. n.igmaApr 04, 2015
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Roman EphesusIonia, Ephesus, Claudius, 41-54, AR Cistophoric Tetradrachm
TI. CLAVD CAES AVG. Claudius bare head, facing left.
DIAN-EPHE Cult statue of Diana (Artemis) of Ephesus inside a tetra style temple, set on three tiered base; pediment decorated by figures flanking three windows.
RIC I 118; RPC I 2222; BMCRE 229; RSC 30; Sear Millennium 1839. Ephesus ca. 41-42 AD.
(25 mm, 11.14 g, 6h).
The Temple of Artemis (Diana) at Ephesus was one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world. Depicted on this coin, which was minted shortly after Claudius’ accession to the throne, there remains no trace of the temple other than some recently stacked column remnants to mark the location. Pliny The Elder described the temple as 115 meters in length, 55 meters in width, made almost entirely of marble; consisting of 127 Ionic style columns 18 meters in height. The original temple, which stood on the site from about 550 BC, was destroyed by arson in 356 BC. It was rebuilt at the direction of Alexander III the Great around 330 BC, in the form depicted on the coin, only to be destroyed by the Goths in 262 AD. Again rebuilt, it was destroyed for the final time by Christians in 401 AD. The marble of the temple was used to construct other buildings. Some of the columns found their way into the church of Hagia Sophia in Constantinople (Istanbul).
The site of the temple was rediscovered in 1869 by an expedition sponsored by the British Museum, but little remains to be seen today. A Christian inscription found at Ephesus reads Destroying the delusive image of the demon Artemis, Demeas has erected this symbol of Truth, the God that drives away idols, and the Cross of priests, deathless and victorious sign of Christ. This Christian zeal explains why so little remains of the site despite its repute in the ancient pre-Christian world.
This coin is rare with a few dozen examples known. In contrast to most examples, which show a four-tiered temple base, the reverse of this coin shows a three-tiered temple base, the same as that found on the Parthenon. The rectangles visible on the pediment of the temple are frequently identified as depictions of tables, or altars attended by flanking figures. However, architectural reconstructions of the temple show these rectangles as windows permitting light into the temple interior, a fact supported by the presence of pediment window frame moldings amongst the remains of other temples from the period in Asia Minor. The Ionic style of the temple’s columns, as described by Pliny, is clearly visible in the reverse image.n.igmaApr 03, 2015
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Ptolemaic Kings of Egypt, Ptolemy I Soter as Satrap, 323-305 BC - Memphis MintHead of Herakles right wearing lion-skin headdress; test cut applied to top of the head.
AΛΕΞANΔPOY Zeus seated left, holding eagle and scepter; rose before, ΔI beneath throne, O between throne and scepter.
Price 3971; Muller 124; SNG Copenhagen 853; Dewing 1180.
Memphis mint ca. 323-316 BC.
(27 mm, 16.92 g, 12h).
ex- Barry P. Murphy.
Amongst the first Egyptian issues of Alexandrine tetradrachms, minted shortly after Ptolemy took control of Egypt as Satrap.
n.igmaApr 03, 2015
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Seleukid Kingdom, Seleukos I Nikator, 312-281 BC, AR Tetradrachm - Susa Head of Herakles right wearing lion-skin headdress.
ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ AΛEΞANΔPOY (of King Alexander) Zeus Aëtophoros seated left, wreath above horned horse head in left field; Boeotian shield to right of wreath; BE above strut of throne.
SC 164.4(b); HGC 9, 10g; ESM 286; Price 3865 (same obv. die); Kritt ESMS S-10 Al.11 same dies A7/P2.
Susa Mint, 311-305 BC.
(25 mm, 16.96 g, 11h).
ex- William K. Raymond collection.
This coin is amongst the earliest issues of Seleukos I Nikator from the mint at Susa. With the addition of Seleukid symbols (in this example a horned horse head) it follows the preceding Susa wreath group struck in the interval 316-311 BC by Aspeisas, under the authority of Antigonos Monopthalmos.n.igmaApr 03, 2015
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Kings of Macedon, Alexander III the Great, 336-323, AR Tetradrachm – Susa under satrap Aspeisas Head of Herakles right wearing lion-skin headdress.
ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ AΛEΞANΔPOY (of King Alexander) Zeus Aëtophoros seated left, wreath in left field; AI above strut of throne, Î P monogram below.
Price 3857.
Struck under Aspeisas, satrap of Susiana, circa 316-311 BC.
(25 mm, 16.78 g, 9h).
Classical Numismatic Group Auction 76, 12 September 2007, 772. Incorrectly attributed in the auction catalogue to Seleukos I Nikator, as an unpublished SC 164.1 variant
Susa, or Shushan in biblical Hebrew, is modern day Shush, located in southwest Iran, about 150 km east of the River Tigris. Mint operations appear to have commenced in the city around the time of the death of Alexander in 323 BC. Antigonos Monopthalmos controlled Susa in the interval 320-311 BC, after which Seleukos I annexed it to his province of Babylonia.
At the time this coin was struck in 316-314 BC, the power of Antigonos Monopthalmos was at its zenith. The wreath on the reverse is symbolic of his triumph over Eumenes of Cardia, leaving Antigonos at that time the supreme claimant to the legacy of Alexander the Great. Aspeisas, under whose direct authority the coinage at Susa was struck, was appointed satrap of Susiana by Antigonos following the second Diadoch War. He occupied this role until ca. 311 BC when Seleukos took Babylonia and Susa. A similar Alexander tetradrachm (Price 3852) of Susa issued with Aspeisas’ name on the reverse is the geographical and chronological pointer by which the subsequent issues, including the Seleukid Susa Alexanders, are definitively placed as issues of the mint at Susa. The Aspeisas tetradrachm is followed by the Susa “wreath group” of which this coin is an example. The wreath group is connected directly by magistrates’ symbols, style, and fabric to the subsequent Seleukid issues.n.igmaApr 03, 2015
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Seleukid Kingdom, Seleukos I Nikator, 312-281 BC, AR Drachm - Susa Helmeted head of Seleukos right, frontal facial features carved from the coin, apparently in an act of damnation.
ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΣEΛEYKOY Nike standing right, holding in both hands a wreath that she places on trophy to right; monogram to lower left, ΔI in lower middle field.
Marest-Caffety AJN 28, Victory Coinage 198 (this coin), dies A4/P4, Pl. 14 198 (this coin); SC 174.4 var. (left field monogram); HGC 9, 34; CSE 1024 var.; ESM 414 var.
Susa mint 300-295 BC.
(16 mm, 3.63 g, 8h).
DAMNATION: The defacement of Seleukos’ image on this coin may be one of the earliest acts of damnation recorded on coinage. A broad deep cut to the coin was made to remove the facial features on the obverse. Unlike a test cut, silver has been carved from the coin, rather than being displaced by a chisel blow. This removal of silver contributes to the current low weight of the coin (0.6 g less than the Attic weight standard). The defacement of the image of Seleukos may have been the result of Persid animosity to Macedonian occupation.n.igmaApr 03, 2015
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Seleukid Kingdom, Seleukos I Nikator, 312-281 BC, AR Drachm - Susa Helmeted head of Seleukos right.
ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΣEΛEYKOY Nike standing right, holding in both hands a wreath that she places on trophy to right; H to lower left, AX in lower middle field.
Marest-Caffety AJN 28, Victory Coinage 2.5, 218 (this coin), dies A14/P13, Pl. 15, 218 (this coin); SC 174.5; HGC 9, 34; CSE 1024; ESM 418γ (this coin).
Susa mint, 300-295 BC.
(18 mm, 4.06 g, 10h).
Roma Numismatics, Feb. 2011; ex- CNG 47, 16 Sept. 98, 533; ex- Giessener 33, 3 June 1986, 217; ex- Naville X, 15-18 June 1925, 799.
VENERATION: The hole in this coin has been carefully placed so as not to damage the obverse image. Extension of the flan to accommodate the hole is evident in the distortion of the once circular dotted border of the reverse, plus a thinner than average metal thickness in this area of the coin, accompanied by hammer marks on the obverse. It appears that a slightly off center obverse coin was chosen for this purpose and the area of the flan outside the struck obverse design was flattened and extended to facilitate the placement of a hole in a manner that would not damage the obverse image. The hole appears to have been punched into the coin from both sides. This is shown by a ridge of metal on the inside of the circumference of hole marking the intersection of the two punches from both sides. The outermost edges of the hole show the most wear, consistent with suspension of the coin from leather band, or chain. The wear of the obverse and reverse of the coin is consistent with the coin being held and rubbed between the thumb and forefinger while on display, perhaps around the neck of the owner. With imagination it is easy conceive that this holed coin may have hung around the neck of a Macedonian veteran in one of the garrisons in Persis, testament to his loyalty to Seleukos, only to be fondly rubbed between thumb and forefinger in the pensive moments over a drink and conversation in off-duty hours.n.igmaApr 03, 2015
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Seleukid Kingdom, Seleukos I Nikator, 312-281 BC, AR Drachm - Susa Helmeted head of Seleukos right.
ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΣEΛEYKOY Nike standing right, holding in both hands a wreath that she places on trophy to right; H to lower left, AX in lower middle field.
Marest-Caffety AJN 28, Victory Coinage 2.5, 209 (this coin), dies A10/P11, Pl. 15, 209 (this coin); SC 174.5; HGC 9, 34; BMC 39; CSE 1024; Jameson 1656.
Susa mint 300-295 BC.
(15.5 mm, 4.09 g, 12h).
Triton XVIII, 6 January 2015, 713; ex- Cederlind 106, 17 December 1996, 814; Peus 340, 2 Nov. 1994, Lot 476..
Referred to as the Susa Trophy Series, this coin type has a number of unique and enigmatic attributes. It was only stuck at Susa for a period of about five years between 300-295 BC. The type is rarely found west of the Tigris River and appears to have been largely confined to circulation in Susiana and Persis.
Recent work by Marest-Caffey (AJN 28, 2016) placed this enigmatic issue in its true context. The obverse image is polysemous, incorporating elements of Persian iconography of power into a portrait of Greek style and format. This deliberate ambiguity played to the belief systems of different components of Seleukos’s domain. A Macedonian audience could see this as an image of Alexander the Great, while the Persians could see in the taurine imagery as a reflection of Seleukos himself.
The reverse iconography of Nike erecting a trophy is specifically Greek while the trophy itself bears Greek armour including a shield that prominently bears the Macedonian starburt. The latter fixes the issue after the Battle of Ipsos in 301 BC in which Seleukos played a prominent role in the defeat of Antigonos Monopthalmos.
The ‘trophy’ coinage appears was struck in the period 300-295 BC.
n.igmaApr 02, 2015
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Campania, Neapolis, ca. 320-300 BC, AR Didrachm Head of the Siren Parthenope right, hair bound by band, wearing triple pendant earring and pearl necklace; pileos behind.
Man-faced bull standing right with head facing while being crowned by Nike flying right above; K below.
HN Italy 579.
(19 mm, 7.23 g, 10h).
Classical Numismatic Group e-Auction 167, 27 June 2007, 7; from the Charles Gillet collection, ex-Stacks, 15 November 1989, 90.n.igmaMar 15, 2015
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Lakonia, Lakedaimon (Sparta), ca. 85 BC, AR Hemidrachm - in the style of the Achaian League Laureate head of Zeus right.
Central AX monogram; pilei of the Dioskouri flanking, ΛAI monogram above and ΩΠMY monogram below, all within laurel wreath.
HGC 5, 643 (S); Clerk 319; BCD Peloponnesos 865.4; SNG Cop 320.
(13 mm, 2.36 g, 6h).
Classical Numismatic Group, August 2007; from BCD Collection (not in LHS sale); ex-Johan Christian Holm (Denmark) 1976.
Although this coin is in the style of the Achaian League style, it was issued at a time when Sparta was not a member of the League. It is believed that the issue of this coin type was a “voluntary” contribution to the Roman campaign when Sulla was fighting Mithradates VI. This issue was struck the style of the coinage of the League, which was more acceptable to the Greek mercenaries who received it as pay while engaged by Rome. Sparta also issued autonomous silver coinage (example below) around the same time and for the following thirty years.n.igmaMar 15, 2015
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Lakonia, Lakedaimon (Sparta), ca. 80-50 BC, AR Triobol Laureate head of bearded Herakles right.
Amphora entwined by snake between pilei of the Dioscouri; Λ-A and KA-PEY below; all within laurel wreath.
HGC 5, 612; BCD Peloponnesos 881-882; Grunauer VIII, series 23, 124; SNG Lockett 2492.
(18 mm, 2.34 g, 9h).
Classical Numismatic Group, August 2007; from BCD Collection (not in LHS sale); ex-Schulten 135, 20 October 1988, 344.n.igmaMar 15, 2015
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Sicily, Syracuse, Hiketas II, 287-278 BC, Æ 21 Wreathed head of Kore right; ΣYPA in right field.
Charioteer in biga galloping right, star above, Î X in exergue.
SNG ANS 763 var. (torch symbol on obverse; X in exergue of reverse).
(21 mm, 9.41 g, 5h).
LWHT Collection; Classical Numismatic Group electronic Auction 167, 27 June 2007, 37; from the Charles Gillet collection; ex-Stacks 23 May 1990, 262.n.igmaMar 15, 2015
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Kings of Macedon, Alexander III the Great, 336-323 BC, AR Tetradrachm - Babylon under Seleukos ca. 308-305 BCHead of Herakles right wearing lion skin headdress.
BΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ AΛΕΞANΔPOY Zeus Aetophoros seated left, ligate ME above club in left field, HA monogram beneath throne.
Price 3772; Waggoner Issue IX, 456-460; SC Ad57F; Commerce ("Seleucus I") Hoard 2005 (CH 10.265), 1349-1350 (one of these coins).
Babylon I Mint (Imperial Mint) after the Babylonian War and the victory of Seleukos – this saw the removal of the victory wreath of Antigonos from the coinage of Babylon.
(26 mm, 17.16 g, 6h).
ex- CNG 72, 14 June 2006, 436; ex-"Seleucus I" Hoard (CH 10.265).
In 316 Antigonos, following his victory over Eumenes, placed a wreath symbolic of his victory on the coinage of the Babylon Imperial Mint. This symbol persisted on the coinage of Babylon until Seleukos defeated Antigonos and expelled him from Babylonia in 308 BC. This coin was amongst the first of the issues following the removal of the wreath from the Babylon series and thus dated to 308-305 BC.n.igmaMar 01, 2015
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Kings of Macedon, Alexander III the Great, 336-323 BC, AR Tetradrachm – Babylon under Antigonos Monopthalmos during the Babylonian War 311-308 BC Head of Herakles right wearing lion skin headdress.
ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ AΛΕΞANΔPOY Zeus Aëtophoros seated left, MTPΘ monogram within wreath beneath throne, MI in left field, crescent moon beneath.
Price 3756; Waggoner Issue VIII, Series IV, 448; Newell Babylon Group 4; SC 82.2d; HGC 9, 10f. Babylon I (Royal Mint) dated to 311/10-309/08 BC by Waggoner.
(24 mm, 16.85 g, 6h).
CNG; ex- Ross Schraeder Collection
Waggoner dated this coin type to 311/10-309/08 at the peak of the Babylonian War waged between Antigonos and Seleukos. Price extended this to incude all the issues bearing the MI control accompanied by the victory wreath and accompanying monogram of Antigonos that was placed on the coinage of Babylon following his victory over Eumenes in 316. It was struck in the Royal Mint (Babylon I) at Babylon nominally after Seleukos reclaimed his Babylonian Satrapy in April 311 BC. The latter event marked the start of the Seleukid era, which is dated with Year 1 commencing in the Macedonian Year commencing October 312 BC. For this reason the coin was considered Seleukid by Houghton and Lorber. However, Seleukos was absent from Babylon for most of the period 311-308 during which time the city was essentially under Antigonid control as the Babylonian War was waged. Therefore, the coin is more correctly attributed as a Royal Macedonian issue under the authority of Antigonos Monopthalmos.
The Royal Mint was established by Alexander the Great and the output accorded to imperial standards of design and control throughout the two decades following the death of Alexander. Production from the mint declined rapidly after the conclusion of the War for Babylonia in 308 BC, the outcome of which convincingly placed the province and greater eastern region of the former Macedonian Empire firmly in the control of Seleukos. The mint may have continued to produce a low volume of coinage from four obverse tetradrachm dies until perhaps ca. 305 BC when it closed; its operations transferred to the mint at Seleukeia on the Tigris. True to its name Babylon Imperial Mint produced coinage only in the name of Alexander and briefly Philip (Arrhidaios), but never in the name of Seleukos.n.igmaMar 01, 2015
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Baktrian Kingdom, Diodotos I, ca. 255/250-240 BC, AR Tetradrachm Diademed head of Diodotos I right.
ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ANTIOXOY Zeus advancing left hurling thunderbolt, eagle at feet, ΙΔΤ (Iota, Delta, Sampi) monogram in inner left field.
Holt A6.4 (this coin); Kritt A6 (plate 2 A6 this coin); CSE 1294 (this coin); SNG Lockett 3109 (this coin ID: SNGuk_0300_3109); Pozzi 2945 (this coin); ESM 717α (this coin); SNG ANS 77; SC 631.a; Bopearachchi 2E; Mitchiner 64d; Qunduz 6; HGC 9, 243.
Mint "A" - Ai Khanoum
(26 mm, 15.73 g, 6h).
Herakles Numismatics; ex- Houghton Collection (CSE 1294); ex- Lockett Collection (SNGLockett 3109); ex- Pozzi Collection: Naville Sale I (1921) 2945 (sold for CHF 35).
This coin has a very distinguished provenance and has been published as plate coin in four reference works.
The emission with the ΙΔΤ (Iota, Delta Sampi) mint control mark is the most abundant of the Diodotid issues, representing about 13% of known Diodotid precious metal coins. The same control carries over into the early coinage of Euthydemos, although eventually displaced by the PK control monogram after 208/6 BC when Antiochos III captured Ai Khanoum while Euthydemos remained besieged at Baktra, after which it appears that Baktra/Balkh assumed the role of primary royal mint in Baktria. In is notable that the Archaic Greek letter Sampi forms the bottom of the ΙΔΤ monogram. It is an Archaic Greek form of a double Sigma that persisted in Greek dialects of Asia Minor. Many Greek settlers from Asia Minor migrated to Baktria, including the illustrious ruler Euthydemos from Magnesia in either Lydia, or Ionia. The archaic Greek Sampi possibly traveled to Baktria with the earliest Greek settlers from Asia Minor.
n.igmaMar 01, 2015
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Kings of Macedonia, Alexander III The Great, 336-323 BC, AR Tetradrachm – Sidon 333/2 BC Head of young Herakles right in lion skin headdress, paws tied at neck.
ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡOΥ Zeus Aëtophoros seated left, Aramaic letter Alaph indicating year 1 (333/2 BC) beneath throne, Phoenician letter Sadhe (the ethnic of Sidon) to left (off flan).
Price 3467 (same dies as 3467c); Newell Sidon 8, dies II/γ. The first Alexander tetradrachm emission from
Sidon mint 333/2 BC.
Nominally struck under Abdalonymos 333/2 -312/11 BC.
(24 mm, 16.39 g, 12h).
This coin is from the first emission of the mint at Sidon struck immediately after the city surrendered to Alexander the Great in December 333. This is a certainty, because it is the dated to Year 1 of Alexander’s conquest of the Persian dominion, the only coinage in his realm to be so dated. Year 1 of Alexander’s reign over the Old Persian Empire followed the defeat of the Persian King Darius at the Battle of Issos in November 333 BC. The Macedonian year commenced in October of our calendar year. Thus the Phoenician date (letter Alaph) of year 1 on this coin represents the period from Alexander’s appearance in the city in late 333 BC until October 332 BC.
Newell and Price catalogued eleven examples of this coin emission from two obverse and three reverse dies. To this can be added the previously unrecorded dies of the previous coin. The obverse die from which this coin was struck, together with the engraver of the die, were transferred to the city of Tyre immediately on conquest of the latter to commence the production of Alexander’s coinage in that city. The following coin is an example of next obverse die engraved at Tyre by the same engraver. The depiction of Herakles by this engraver is very distinctive, to the extent that his handiwork, as documented by Newell, can be used to track the further movement of the engraver from Tyre to the city of Tarsos in 329 BC.n.igmaFeb 16, 2015
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Kings of Macedonia, Alexander III The Great, 336-323 BC, AR Tetradrachm - Tyre 332/1 BC Head of young Herakles right in lion-skin headdress, paws tied at neck.
ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡOΥ Zeus Aëtophoros seated left, M under throne.
Price 3240 (b) (Ake) same dies; Newell Ake Series I, 3 (plate V, 13 same dies IV/δ).
An early emission of Alexander’s coinage from the mint of Tyre 332-330 BC. For the reattribution of the Alexander series of Ake to the mint of Tyre, see A. Lemaire, “Le monnayage de Tyr et celui dit d’Akko dans la deuxième moitié du IV siècle avant J.-C.,” RN 1976, and G. Le Rider, Alexander the Great: Coinage, Finances, and Policy (Philadelphia: American Philosophical Society, 2007), pp. 125-34. Tyre mint 332/1 BC.
(23 mm, 17.15 g, 6h).
Harlan J Berk Buy or Bid Sale 175, May 2011, Lot 114 (incorrectly attributed to Babylon).
This is amongst the first coins issued from Tyre after the siege. It was probably struck in the months immediately following the fall of the city to Alexander. The people who handled it were probably participants in the bloody, protracted siege of Tyre and may then have accompanied Alexander on his expedition to Egypt before going on to fight at Gaugamela. Few Alexander tetradrachms can be so closely associated with the location and movements of the man.n.igmaFeb 16, 2015
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Kings of Macedonia, Alexander III The Great, 336-323 BC, AR Tetradrachm - Sidon 333/2 BC Head of young Herakles right in lion-skin headdress, paws tied at neck.
ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡOΥ Zeus Aëtophoros seated left, Phoenician date (letter Alaph) indicating Year 1 (333/2 BC) beneath throne, Phoenician letter Sadhe (the ethnic of Sidon) to left.
Price 3467; Newell Sidon 8, dies -/- (previously unrecorded die set).
The first Alexander tetradrachm emission from Sidon mint 333/2 BC from the first dies used at the mint.
Nominally struck under Abdalonymos 333/2 -312/1 BC.
(23 mm, 17.2 g, 12h).
ex- Munzen Sann.
This is an example of the first Alexander coinage struck at Sidon, dated to Year 1 of his Asian reign, the year in which he defeated the Persian King Darius at the battle of Issos, followed shortly thereafter by the surrender of Sidon. The obverse die from which this coin was struck was transferred to Tyre after the fall of the city and it was used to strike the first of Alexander's coinage in the city. This die transfer/linkage was unknown to Newell and has only come to light in a recently offered specimen from Tyre CNG eAuction 276 lot 92 (incorrectly attributed to Tarsos by CNG). n.igmaFeb 16, 2015
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Kings of Macedon, Alexander III The Great, 336-323 BC, AR Tetradrachm - TarsosHead of young Herakles right in lion-skin headdress, paws tied at neck.
ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡOΥ Zeus Aëtophoros seated left, pellet above A beneath throne.
Price 2997; Newell Tarsos 8 (Newell’s Officina A, obverse die XXIV) pl. III, 6 (same obverse die); Muller 1292.
Tarsos mint 329/328 BC - dies from the Sidon and Tyre engraver.
(25 mm, 17.17 g, 1h).
Harlan J Berk Buy or Bid Sale 184, 7 May 2013, 55.
The dies from which this coin was struck are from the same engraver that cut the obverse dies for the first issues of Sidon and Tyre in the collection. The engraver was transferred to Tarsos from Tyre in 329 BC, thus dating this coin to 329/328 BC – refer Newell Tarsos under Alexander p. 80-81.n.igmaFeb 13, 2015
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Kings of Macedonia, Alexander III The Great, 336-323 BC, AR Tetradrachm - Tyre 330/29 BCHead of young Herakles right in lion skin headdress, paws tied at neck.
ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡOΥ Zeus Aëtophoros seated left, Phoenician letters ayn and kaph (a contraction of the name of ‘Ozmilk) in left field, regnal year 20 below.
Price 3250 (Ake); Newell Ake Series IV, 12 (plate VI, 11 same obverse die XIII).
The first dated Alexander from the mint at Tyre struck 330/329 BC.
(25 mm, 17.10 g, 9h).
Harlan J. Berk 191, 2 July 2014, 46 (incorrectly attributed to Pella).
This is the first dated Alexander from the mint at Tyre. The year 20 date relates to the reign of ‘Ozmilk which has conclusively been determined to be the year 330/29 based on the extensive study of the precursor dated coinage of Tyre by Elayi and Elayi (2009).
The crude, rough hammered fabric and often crudely engraved reverse dies point to a hurried issue. The coinage may have been struck to fund the reconstruction of Tyre following the siege of the city in the first half of 332 BC. Unusual is the attempt to convey fleshy lines on the neck of Herakles; a less than successful artistic endeavor that was not repeated on subsequent dies.n.igmaFeb 13, 2015
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GREEK, Boutin, Collection Pozzi 2945 (this coin); Holt A6.4 (this coin); Kritt A6 (plate 2 A6 this coin); CSE 1294 (this coin); SNG Lockett 3109 (this coin ID: SNGuk_0300_3109); Pozzi 2945 (this coin); ESM 717α (this coin)Baktrian Kingdom, Diodotos I, ca. 255/250-240 BC, AR Tetradrachm
Diademed head of Diodotos I right.
ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ANTIOXOY Zeus advancing left hurling thunderbolt, eagle at feet, ΙΔΤ (Iota, Delta, Sampi) monogram in inner left field.
Holt A6.4 (this coin); Kritt A6 (plate 2 A6 this coin); CSE 1294 (this coin); SNG Lockett 3109 (this coin ID: SNGuk_0300_3109); Pozzi 2945 (this coin); ESM 717α (this coin); SNG ANS 77; SC 631.a; Bopearachchi 2E; Mitchiner 64d; Qunduz 6; HGC 9, 24. Mint "A" - Ai Khanoum
(26 mm, 15.73 g, 6h).
Herakles Numismatics, July 2013; ex- Houghton Collection (CSE 1294); ex- Lockett Collection (SNGLockett 3109); ex-Pozzi Collection: Naville Sale I (1921), 2945.
This coin has a very distinguished provenance and has been published as plate coin in four reference works.
It was cleaned after the CSE 1294 image resulting in removal of surface deposits and 0.1 g lower weight than CSE, Holt and SNG Lockett listingsn.igmaJan 31, 2015
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Calabria, Tarentum, 334-330 BC, AR Didrachm Naked horseman crowning himself on stationary horse right, small ΣA and large Ionic capital beneath.
Taras holding sea snake and whip astride dolphin facing left, KO in lower right.
Fischer-Bossert group 75, 960-973; HN Italy 941-942; SNG ANS 1026; Vlasto 654-8; Evans V, E1 and McGill II, 57-58.
(20 mm, 12h).
Spink & Son Ltd, July 1988.n.igmaJan 31, 2015
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Lucania, Heraclea, ca. 276-250 BC, Æ 11 Laureate male head (inferred to be young Herakles) right.
Club between a strung bow to the left and arrow quiver to the right.
Boutin, Collection Pozzi 453; Van Keuren 163; SNG ANS 114; SNG Copenhagen 1143; HN Italy 1445b; Sear 618.
(11 mm, 1.45 g, 12h).
Forestier & Lambert, January 2008; ex- CNG e-Auction 138, 26 April 2006, 15; ex- Athos Moretti Collection: Numismatica Ars Classica Auction O, 13 May 2004, 1099.
Rare: one of seven known (and counting!).n.igmaJan 31, 2015
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Sicily, Kentoripai, 344-336 BC, Æ Dekonkion Laureate head of Zeus right.
KENTO-PIΠINΩN winged thunderbolt, Δ in exergue.
Calciati III 3; SNG ANS 1311-15; Sear GCV 1081.
(26.6 mm, 13.34 g, 9h).
ex-Gemini IV, 8 January 2008, 594.3; ex- Albert M. Potts Collection; ex-MMAG Basel List 289, 248. n.igmaJan 31, 2015
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Lucania, Metapontion, ca. 510-470 BC, AR DidrachmBarley ear of six grains, META upwards on left, all within cable border.
Incuse barley ear of seven grains.
HN Italy 1482; SNG ANS 237; SNG Copenhagen 1166; Noe 205.
(20 mm, 8.08 g, 12h).
Kirk Davis Classical Numismatics Catalogue 50, Fall 2006, 3.n.igmaJan 26, 2015
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Kings of Macedon, Alexander III the Great, 336-323 BC, AR Drachm - SardisHead of Herakles right wearing lion-skin headdress.
AΛΕΞANΔPOY Zeus Aëtophoros seated left; in left field male head wearing Phrygian cap; HΘ monogram beneath throne.
Price 2558. Sardis mint ca. 325-323 BC.
(17 mm, 4.28 g, 12h).
Classical Numismatic Group.
The Lydian capital of Sardis surrendered to Alexander the Great in 334 BC. In 330 BC a royal mint was established at Sardis. From ca. 325 BC silver drachms dominated the output of the mint and adjacent mints in Asia Minor. This drachm output circulated throughout the Macedonian empire. Morkholm (1991) attributed concentration of drachm production in the mints of Asia Minor to be the result of a deliberate division of labour, the government reserving the main production of silver drachms for these special mints, while other imperial mints concentrated on the production of tetradrachms. From 325 until 318 BC Sardis remained the most productive of the Alexandrine drachm mints.n.igmaJan 26, 2015
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