Seleucid Sunday

[Celator]

Every Sunday I'll be posting a Seleucid coin here from my collection. The postings will be in chronological order starting with Seleucus I. Posting once a week means this thread will end around April of next year. In the rare case I do not posses the ruler of the week, I will write a short blurb about them instead. 

Selecucus I Nicator - 312 to 294

Officer to Alexander the Great, he is best known for founding the Seleucid empire after taking Babylon in 311, an empire that spaned four different centuries. The first coin presented depicts a Seleucid war elephant recieved from Chandragupta which facilitated the defeat of Antigonus at Ipsus in 301. 

Seleucus I
Apamea on the Axios
300 to 281 BC
Obvs: Elephant right, dotted border.
Revs: BAΣIΛIEΩΣ ΣEΛEYKOY, bridled & horned horse head left. Horizontal anchor below.
AE 19x20mm, 8.57g
SC 35; HGC 9, 79(R1)

 

Numismatic note: Apamea was part of the Syrian tetrapolis formed by Seleucus as the starting point of military campaigns. This mint was only in use by Seleucus I for a couple of decades and no other coins were minted there for another 60 years until the reign of Antiochus III.

Seleucus continued the tradition of minting Alexandrine types with Heracles in lion's scalp and Zeus enthroned. His coinage eventually expanded to new types as the empire grew. Coinage was produced at at least 17 mints.

Hopefully we will see others coins in these threads, so please post material of Seleucus, Seleucid, or related coins/comments. 

[Nerosmyfavorite68]

 

I like the Seleucids!  This photo will have to do until my photography gets more refined.

[Edessa]

Seleukid Empire. Seleukos I, 312-281 BC. AR Stater (23mm, 15.22g, 11h). Babylon II mint. Struck 311-305 BC. Obv: Ba'al seated left, holding sceptre in right hand Rev: Lion walking left; anchor and Π above, monogram and laurel leaf in exergue. Ref: SC 88.7d; Newell, ESM 275; HGC 9, 67a. Very Fine, some striking weakness.

[Prieure de Sion]

Antiochos VIII Epiphanes Grypos

Tetradrachm of the Seleucid Empire Period 121-96 BC

Material: Silver

Diameter: 29mm

Weight: 16.59g

Mint: Akko Ptolemais, Seleucid Empire

Reference: SNG Spear 2591; Houghton-Lorber II, 515, 2336; Newell, LSM 27, 32

 

Obverse:

You can see the diademed head of Antiochos VIII to right.

 

Reverse:

Zeus Oranios (Zeus of the heaven or Zeus as ruler of the heavens) standing left, crescent over head, Sceptre in right hand, left hand outstretched, 8 rayed sun in palm, DOP monogram below, all within wreath of olive leaves. The Inscription reads: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΝΤΙΟΧΟΥ ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ for BASILEOS ANTIOCHOU EPIPHANOUS (Basileus Antiochos Epiphanes, King Antiochos VIII Epiphanes).

[Broucheion]

Hi All,

 

SELEUCOS I NICATOR (SOLE REIGN, 312-294 BCE), SELEUCIA I (First Workshop) from 300 BCE

NO LEGEND ΣΕΛΕΥKΟΥ ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ
Ar Tetradrachm (Stater)
Size: 27x28 mm
Weight: 17.02 g
Die Axis: 3:00

Obv: Heracles (beardless, resembling Alexander) wearing lion scalp, facing right. Dotted border.
Rev: Zeus seated facing left, right leg drawn back, eagle in extended right hand, long vertical lotus-tipped sceptrer behind in left arm. In left field: dolphin facing left over ΓΟPΔ monogram. In right field: ΣΕΛΕΥKΟΥ. Under throne: OΠXΑ monogram over ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ. Dotted border.
Refs: Houghton & Lorber SC I-36.6b; SCO I-36.6b (https://numismatics.org/sco/id/sc.1.36.6); WSM-1205, pl xxxix, 7.

- Broucheion

Edited August 28, 2022 by Broucheion

[Ryro]

Fun thread idea Celetor!

I'll just post a few so I can join in the weeks to come. 

I'll start with a VERY rare little piece of silver minted under Seleucus I:

A BOSS megas:

A tiny quarter unit:

And some fun countermarks (lots of fun countermarks in Seleucids)

[Topcat7]

@Celator Congrats on the thread BTW.  I think you meant that responses should relate to the ruler posted. (Makes sense to me.) If everyone jumps in with random coins from anywhere within the Seleucid Empire what is left for week two and three (etc).

 

My only examples of Seleucid I Nicator

Edited August 28, 2022 by Topcat7

[IanG]

All nice coins above; Prieure de Sion's Antiochos VIII tetradrachm in particular is an absolute beauty.

Here is a bronze of Antiochos I, son of Seleucos I, with a fine facing head. I love the fact that the Seleucid engravers - well, Greek engravers generally - were prepared to go to such trouble for common bronze coins.

 

 

Seleukid Kingdom, Antiochos I Soter.

 Smyrna or Sardes mint, 281-261 BC.

Helmeted head of Athena facing / ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ - ΑΝΤΙΟΧΟΥ. Nike standing left, holding wreath and palm frond. Controls: Monogram to outer left and inner right.

SC 314b; HGC 9, 145.

2.25g, 14mm.

 

[Marsyas Mike]

I'm enjoying Seleucid Sunday very much.  My collection is not especially vast when it comes to Seleucids, but I have some countermarks I find interesting.  Here are two "bulls" for Seleukos I Nikator with anchor and monogram countermarks.  These are similar host coins, but two different sizes:

Small one:

Seleucid Kingdom  Æ 14  Seleukos I Nikator  (312-281 B.C.)  Sardes mint (?) Winged head of Medusa right / [BAΣIΛEΩΣ ΣEΛE]YK[OY], bull butting right; [controls?].  Cf SC 6.1; HGC 9, 107a.  Countermark:  Seleucid anchor on bull's flanks, 3 x 2 mm. (3.46 grams / 14 mm) eBay Oct. 2019         

Attribution Note: 

Host:  This issue comes in several varieties with various monograms and controls, not visible on this example. This type comes in two sizes, this is the smaller. 

Countermark:  Small Seleucid  anchor.  For this host found only one in combination with helmet, Bertolami F.A. E-Auction 68.

 Larger one:

Seleucid Kingdom Æ 18  Seleukos I Nikator  (312-281 B.C.)  Uncertain mint Winged head of Medusa right / BAΣIΛEΩΣ [ΣEΛEY]K[OY], bull butting right; [controls?]. Cf. SC 21, 152, and 191; HGC 9, 92. Countermark:  Monogram on bull's flanks, 5 x 4 mm. (6.14 grams / 18 mm) eBay Sep. 2019

 Attribution Note: 

Host:  This issue comes in several varieties with various monograms and controls, not visible on this example.    This type comes in two sizes, this is the larger. 

Countermark:  Found a few Online, but information was basically nil (Oct. 2019). 

 

 

[kapphnwn]

Ar Tetradrachm of Alexander I Balas Antioch 147-146 BC Obv Head right diademed. Rv Zeus Nikephoros seated left holding Nike.SC 1784/7b  16.24 grms 28 mm photo by W. Hansen Theoretically Alexander was the son of Antiochos IV. This story is generally thought to be false. However there was enough in the story to convince both the Attalids and the Ptolemies to support him against Demetrios I. 

[Celator]

A good turn out here for the first post with some great examples! With Seleucids there really is a lot of interesting variety to be found in bronze and silver.

3 hours ago, Topcat7 said:

@Celator Congrats on the thread BTW.  I think you meant that responses should relate to the ruler posted. (Makes sense to me.) If everyone jumps in with random coins from anywhere within the Seleucid Empire what is left for week two and three (etc).

Posters can post whatever they wish I feel, especially if the ruler presented for that week is not in their collection. But your logic fits with what I am planning for future weeks.

[Celator]

#2 Antiochus I Soter - 294 to 261 BC.

Son of Seleucus and Apama, he was commander of the Seleucid calvary. Victory in Asia Minor after decades of war with the Galatians and Ptolemys earned him the title saviour. Which he won with the aid of his war elephants. 

Antiochus I Soter
Mint: Ai Khanoum
AR Hemidrachm
281 to 261 BC
Obvs: Diademed head of Antiochus I right with elderly features. Dotted border.
Revs: BAΣIΛEΩΣ on left ANTIOXOY in exergue, horned and bridled horse head right with flame like forelock. Δ in circle upper right before horse's forehead.
12mm, 2.09g
Ref: cf. SC 433.1; HGC 9, --
Note: Unpublished with control before horse's forehead.

Numismatic note: Antiochus was the first Seleucid king to put his portrait on coinage. All subsequent rulers copied this practice. 

Edited September 11, 2022 by Celator

[IanG]

 

 

Seleucid Kingdom, Antiochos I Soter.   

Antioch, 281-261 BC.

Diademed head left / [B]ΑΣ[Ι] ANTI, Apollo seated right on omphalos, holding bow with both hands; monogram in left field.

SC 352; BMC 25.

1.98g, 12mm.

[Etcherdude]

 

THRACIAN KINGDOM. Lysimachus (305-281 BC). AR tetradrachm (38mm, 17.11 gm, 11h). Sardes, ca. 297/6-286 BC. Diademed head of deified Alexander III right, with horn of Ammon / ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ / ΛΥΣΙΜΑΧOΥ, Athena seated left, Nike in right hand crowning royal name, resting left elbow on shield decorated with lion head boss, transverse spear behind; ΩK monogram in inner left field, ΠPE monogram in exergue. Thompson 89. Müller 405. 

[Ryro]

Here's one while he was co regent with his dad:

Antiochos I. Coregency with Seleucis I

294-281 BCE Æ

Ai Khanoum mint. Struck circa 285-281 BCE. Charging bull right; P Π monogram above / BAΣIΛEΩN ΣEΛEΥKOΥ ANTIOXOΥ, above and below shaft of Anchor; delta circle monogram below. SC 286(2) var. (obverse control). VF, dark brown.

 

 

And then him on his own when he was into minting haunted coins:

Antiochos I Soter

Seleukid Kingdom (281-261 BC). AE (15mm, 2.49g). Smyrna or Sardes. Helmeted head of Athena facing / BAΣΙΛΕΩΣ / ΑΝΤΙΟΧΟΥ. Nike standing left, holding wreath and palm frond, Monogram to outer left. SC 315a; HGC 9, 167.

Former: Kairos

 

 

 

 

[Nerosmyfavorite68]

31745. Silver tetradrachm, Newell SMA 97, SNG Spaer 1256 - 62 var (control-mark), VF, cracked, Antioch mint, weight 14.440g, maximum diameter 31.6mm, die axis 0o, 162 - 150 B.C.; obverse diademed head of Demetrios right, fillet border; reverse ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ / ∆ΗΜΗΤΡΙΟΥ, Tyche seated left, short scepter in right, cornucopia in left, seat supported by Nike, monogram in ex; possibly broken in two and glued together;

Ex Forum.

My best ones aren't photographed and it appears that this might be my only Seleucid from the vcoins folder.  i.e. one purchase since 2009.

[Celator]

1 hour ago, Ryro said:

Antiochos I. Coregency with Seleucis I

294-281 BCE Æ

Ai Khanoum mint. Struck circa 285-281 BCE. Charging bull right; P Π monogram above / BAΣIΛEΩN ΣEΛEΥKOΥ ANTIOXOΥ, above and below shaft of Anchor; delta circle monogram below. SC 286(2) var. (obverse control). VF, dark brown.

I don't see an anchor but what looks like a head facing left?

[Ryro]

17 minutes ago, Celator said:

I don't see an anchor but what looks like a head facing left?

Uh oh. And now I can't find my attribution... Nice catch. Will update once I find it... though, I don't believe it is Antiochos l.

[O-Towner]

I'll add another Seleukid King type:

Achaios (usurper 220-214 BC) Ae : Sardes mint (19mm, 3.3gms)

Obv: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ - ΑΧAIΟΥ; Laureate bust of Apollo right

Rev: Eagle standing right with palm frond over shoulder, M in right field

Ref: SC 955.2

 

[Curtis JJ]

I'm sure I've got more Antiochos I bronzes, but here's the one I have photographed! I believe it's of the HGC 9, 169 type. Antioch on the Orontes, c. 281-261. 14.5mm & 4.15g... Bought it about 3 years back for 6 Euros, which seemed fair enough! Believe it not, first time I've found an opportunity to share this treasure!

EDIT: So I do, examples in a couple different group lots, but not any better than the one above! Don't know Seleukid bronzes well enough to say if this Antiochos vs. one of his successors... Just a quick cell phone photo -- 13x16mm, 3.00g, from a group lot of Greek, Seleukid, and Ptolemaic AE ex-E.E. Clain-Stefanelli Collection (similar price to the one above):

 

Edited September 5, 2022 by Curtis JJ

[NewStyleKing]

Not an expert, but is it more likely to be a COCK( = ROOSTER) before Palm. My NewStyle is ?  And I thought it was an Apollo reference to the breaking sun.

This  is in reference to the post above that says Eagle  with palm behind...maybe not an eagle?

 

NSK=John

Edited September 5, 2022 by NewStyleKing

[Celator]

5 hours ago, Curtis JJ said:

I'm sure I've got more Antiochos I bronzes, but here's the one I have photographed! I believe it's of the HGC 9, 169 type. Antioch on the Orontes, c. 281-261. 14.5mm & 4.15g... Bought it about 3 years back for 6 Euros, which seemed fair enough! Believe it not, first time I've found an opportunity to share this treasure!

EDIT: So I do, examples in a couple different group lots, but not any better than the one above! Don't know Seleukid bronzes well enough to say if this Antiochos vs. one of his successors... Just a quick cell phone photo -- 13x16mm, 3.00g, from a group lot of Greek, Seleukid, and Ptolemaic AE ex-E.E. Clain-Stefanelli Collection (similar price to the one above):

 

This may be able to help you in identifying any Antiochus you have.

[Celator]

#3 Antiochus II Theos - 266 to 246 BC

He earned the epitaph Theos by liberating Miletus from Ptolemaic supporters. The second Syrian war ended when he married Ptolemys II daughter Berenice. 

Antiochus II
Denomination C
Mint: Unknown possibly Cilician
261 to 246 BC
Obvs: Laureate head of Apollo right with curly sideburn.
Revs: BAΣIΛEΩΣ above ANTIOXOY below, caps of Dioscuri.
AE 15x17mm, 3.26g
Ref: SC 568; HGC 9, 265(R3)

Numismatic note: He opened a slew of mints in Asia Minor along with a greatly increased output of gold issues. He also produced almost no silver fractions with the exception of those from Bactria.

Please post anything related. 

[Edessa]

Seleucid Empire. Antiochus II Theos, 261-246 BC. Æ18 (4.06g, 12h). Sardes mint. Obv: Laureate head of Apollo right. Rev: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ/ΑΝΤΙΟΧΟΥ; Tripod, monograms to outer left (E) and right (A); below, anchor left. Ref: SC 520; WSM 1379. Good Fine, green dusty patina. Ex Tom Vossen.

[IanG]

 

Seleucid Kingdom, Antiochos II Theos.

AR Tetradrachm, Seleuceia on the Tigris, 261-246 BC.

Diademed head of Antiochos I right / Apollo seated left on omphalos, holding arrow and bow; monograms to outer left and right.

 SC 587.1c; ESM 180; SNG Spaer 385.

16.77g, 30mm.