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Seleucid Sunday


Celator

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#4 Soter coinage - date unknown 

The next ruler is not a ruler at all, but a group of coinage struck at an unknown mint associated with Antioch. Speculation as to whom really struck these coins are believed to be Antiochus II, Berenice, Ptolemy III, Laodice, or the sons of Laodice. The reason these coins are not attributed to a ruler is due to the inscription which translates to savior Antiochus. Antiochus I is depicted on the obverse, but he is not know to use this inscription. 

During the time these were supposedly minted the third Syrian war was occurring, Antiochus II was murdered, and his wives were vying for control of the empire. Lastly the only thing really known about this series is the mint. The "DEL" mint was known as a secondary mint of Antioch and linked to issues of Seleucus II.

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Unknown
Mint associated with Antioch
246 to 244 BC
Obvs: Diademed head of Antiochos I right.
Revs: ΣΩTHPOΣ ANTIOXOY, anchor between caps of the Dioskouroi; ΔEΛ monogram to right.
AE 15x17mm, 3.75g
Ref: SC 642; HGC 10, 296(R3)

Numismatic note: this coin is the first Seleucid coin to use an epitaph and also happens to have been minted in silver and gold. The gold Octadrachm shares the die used to make Tetradrachms and is believed to be unique. 

As usual share anything related including theories. 

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Here's another rarity of that time period that I've been meaning to give its own write up, minted under Kallinikos. Hey, what's that with the Seleucid anchor on it under the horse😘

131812007_3037039_1656323592.l-removebg-preview(1).png.9fd11ccf9e2cfa072d0eec198d51614e.png

Seleukos II Kallinikos. 246-225 BC. Ae (3.22 g, 15 mm). Uncertain mint, associated with Antioch. Diademed head right. Rev. Horse trotting left; below, round shield embossed with anchor. SC 716; HGC 9, 351. Nearly very fine.

Edited by Ryro
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2 hours ago, Ryro said:

Here's another rarity of that time period that I've been meaning to give its own write up, minted under Kallinikos. Hey, what's that with the Seleucid anchor on it under the horse😘

131812007_3037039_1656323592.l-removebg-preview(1).png.9fd11ccf9e2cfa072d0eec198d51614e.png

Seleukos II Kallinikos. 246-225 BC. Ae (3.22 g, 15 mm). Uncertain mint, associated with Antioch. Diademed head right. Rev. Horse trotting left; below, round shield embossed with anchor. SC 716; HGC 9, 351. Nearly very fine.

Yup from the same mint as mine. That's an embossed anchor on the shield as commonly seen on shields from the period.

Screenshot_20220918-141004_Gallery.jpg.8f948ff37d82f0cc0635f7568c34bca9.jpg

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41 minutes ago, Celator said:

Yup from the same mint as mine. That's an embossed anchor on the shield as commonly seen on shields from the period.

Screenshot_20220918-141004_Gallery.jpg.8f948ff37d82f0cc0635f7568c34bca9.jpg

Sorry, I'm a Makedon Shield coin nut and collect them as my primary focus. I was just making sure no one missed it☺️

1219963_1591198091-removebg-preview.png.0193344d1b677b3baef2be5f8cdaa774.png2896645_1653465900.l-removebg-preview.png.c0144fa187c2e27aed49182e122dae4e.png

This one has a double anchor! Shield boss and countermark

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A fun and a bit rare tiny quarter unit

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Ps, I LOVE that art! It even has a golden shield with the 8 rayed star that is, what I believe is more than likely the royal symbol of the Argead dynasty. I believe the star was later coopted by some of the Diadochi to simply be a symbol for Makedon. All the way from Herakles (so technically Zeus) to die with Alexander IV. Or slightly there after, ironically, 1 of 4 songs of Alexander named Herakles on the order of Kassander.

Here are shield coins of Philip Arrhidaios that Kassander "recycled" in the name of snuffing out the Argead line

Zft5q9ACwjF8a7ES4JoincP36f8NM2.jpg.e6e87f613b97e1103af3f4e12631bd1b.jpg2586526_1645140275.l.jpg.9ed08893f826ca989f5d87cdebceb980.jpg

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#5 Seleucus II Callinicus - 246 to 226 BC

With Ptolemy III returning to Egypt because of a revolt, Seleucus was able to recover Antioch and Seleucia. Seleucus appointed his brother Antiochus Hierax as governor of Asia Minor, after which he proclaimed his territory an independent kingdom and turned against his own brother. It was under Seleucus rule that Bactria was lost to the Parthians. Unfittingly he was named Callinicus (nobly triumphant).

 

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Seleucus II
Mint: Antioch
244 to 226 BC
Obvs: Laureate head of Apollo right.
Revs: BAΣIΛIEΩΣ ΣEΛEYKOY, Tripod bound with laurel. EY to left, monogram right.
AE 20mm, 7.37g
Ref: SC 693; HGC 9, 327(R1-2)

Post your coins of Seleucus II

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normal_G_399_Seleukid.jpg.55fe074f5bb326655bc4953aa33ad59e.jpg

SELEUKID KINGDOM.
Seleukos II Kallinikos (246-225 BC)
Magnesia on the Maeander
Obv.: Head of Artemis right, bow and quiver behind neck.
Rev.: BAΣΙΛΕΩΣ / ΣEΛEYKOY, Apollo standing left, holding arrow and grounded bow; monogram to outer left and right; all within meander border.
AE, 17mm, 5.14g
Ref.: SC 670a; HGC 9, 347.

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6 hours ago, shanxi said:

normal_G_399_Seleukid.jpg.55fe074f5bb326655bc4953aa33ad59e.jpg

SELEUKID KINGDOM.
Seleukos II Kallinikos (246-225 BC)
Magnesia on the Maeander
Obv.: Head of Artemis right, bow and quiver behind neck.
Rev.: BAΣΙΛΕΩΣ / ΣEΛEYKOY, Apollo standing left, holding arrow and grounded bow; monogram to outer left and right; all within meander border.
AE, 17mm, 5.14g
Ref.: SC 670a; HGC 9, 347.

That's a great Magnesia, much nicer than mine. These used to be hard to find, even rated R2 by Hoover.

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Seleucus II
Denomination C
Mint: Magnesia on the Meander
246 to 226 BC
Obvs: Head of Artemis right, bow and quiver behind neck.
Revs: BAΣIΛEΩΣ ΣEΛEYKOY, Apollo standing left testing arrow and resting left hand on grounded bow. Meander border.
AE 16x17mm, 4.51g
Ref: SC 670a; HGC 9, 347(R2)

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image.png.2c26e38572d89f1f1266ae6b17a4460c.png

 

Is today Sunday? No! I don't care! I'm happy! I thought I'd have to pay a lot more tonight. But maybe the tetradrachm was just too badly declared and it wasn't discovered by too many. Got it tonight at Raffaele Negrini's auction - this beautiful tetradrachm I've been watching for many weeks and happily got it tonight.

I've only found this comparison so far. I'll have to look into what I got:
https://www.coinarchives.com/a/lotviewer.php?LotID=2074556&AucID=4937&Lot=4306&Val=962bcd46b17f60cb43409ea42bffc66d 


I honestly admit - I have no idea what exactly I bought at auction - I don't know if I paid too much - I just fell in love with this coin. I had to give in to love...

I am not a Greek expert - maybe someone of the experts can tell me more about this coin?!

 

Edited by Prieure de Sion
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5 minutes ago, Celator said:

That is a striking coin. I'm no expert on these, but it would have been minted after the city was declared free hence the autonomous on the 4th line. The year is under the cushion which I believe is 6.

Thanks for this first informations. Sometimes I buy a coin only with my eyes … but don’t know the details or market prices. That’s not perfect I know … but sometimes heart > brain… 

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#6 Antiochus Hierax - 245 to 227 BC

He rebeled against his brother Seleucus II and declared Asia Minor an independent principality. With the aid of his sister, he did this when he was 14 years old. He was never successful in capturing his brother's territories and was eventually captured by Ptolemaic forces and later killed after he escaped. 

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Antiochus Hierax 
Mint: Alexandria Troas
AR Tetradrachm
242 to 227 BC
Obvs: Diademed head of Antiochus Hierax with prominant cheekbone.
Revs: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ on r., ANTIOXOY on l., partially nude, with slight drapery on thigh, Apollo seated l. on omphalos, testing arrow and resting l. hand on grounded bow that has pellets that symbolize the handle. Horse symbol in exergue and two control monograms in left field.
29x30mm, 16.35g
Ref: Sear GCV 6919; SC 877.2; HGC 9, 405g(R1)
Numismatic note: Coinage of Hierax is limited to gold and silver issues only, no bronze coins of his are believed to exist.

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#7 Seleucus III Ceraunus - 226 to 223 BC

He was the oldest son of Seleucus II and was given the western provences while the younger Antiochus III took the Eastern. While trying to take back Asia Minor he was murdered by 2 of his officers.

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Seleucus III
Mint: Antioch
AR Tetradrachm
226 to 223 BC
Obvs: Diademed head of Seleucus III r., with long sideburn, dotted border.
Revs: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ on r., ΣΕΛΕΥΚΟΥ on l., Apollo, slight drapery on r. thigh, seated l. on omphalos, testing arrow and resting l. hand on grounded bow. Control marks in outer left and right fields
25mm, 16.82g
Ref: SC 921.1; HGC 9, 414c(C-S)
Note: Graffiti A inscribed in left field below control.

 

Post your examples of Seleucus III!

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image.jpeg.db28875daa8653048b7db39650e53696.jpeg

Antiochus VII Euergetes (Sidetes) (138-129 BC). AR tetradrachm (29mm, 16.66 gm, 12h). NGC XF 4/5 - 4/5, edge scuff. Tyre, dated year 182 (31/0 BC). Diademed head right, bead and reel border / BAΣIΛEΩΣ / ANTIOXOΥ - EΥEΡ-ΓETOΥ, Athena standing left, holding Nike and spear together with grounded shield, IEΡ-AΣΥ around club topped with monogram of Tyre to outer left, BΠΡ (date) in exergue. SC 2107.5

Ex Medicus Collection.
Ex Hess Divo, Auction 320 (26.10.2011), Lot 229.
Ex Heritage Auction 3072 (15.01.2019), Lot 35301.
Ex Stack & Bowers October 2022 HongKong Auction (09.10.2022), Lot 55008

 

Nothing special - but quite nice, I think. Couldn't sleep yesterday - there was a Stack & Bowers auction in Hong Kong at 3am in the morning and I won this tetradrachm.

 

 

Edited by Prieure de Sion
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#8 Molon - 222 to 220 BC

This is the first Seleucid that I do not have. He was an Usurper and satrapy of Media that rebelled against Antiochus III. He raised a large army that defeated two of Antiochus's generals but ultimately his army began to desert once Antiochus himself lead an opposition. Molon committed suicide on the battlefield near Apollonia. 

I have never seen one at auction, but several examples can be seen in museum collections. 

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  • 1 month later...

#9 Achaeus - 220 to 214 BC

Cousin of Antiochos III and Seleucus III

Achaios, he is best known for his rebellion against Antiochos III, which allowed him to become king of a short-lived 

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Achaios

Mint: Sardes

220 to 214 BC

Obvs: Laureate head of Apollo right. Revs: BAΣIΛEΩΣ AXAIOY, Eagle standing right, palm branch over shoulder. M right.

AE 17x19mm, 6.00g

Ref: cf. SC 955.2; HGC 9, 435(R2)

Note: Unpublished with missing control in outer left. Post any any examples you have of the ruler.

Edited by Celator
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  • 4 weeks later...

#10 Antiochus III - 223 to 187 BC

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Antiochus III
Mint: Antioch on the Orontes
Series I
223 to 187 BC
Obvs: Laureate head of Antiochus as Apollo right. Dotted border.
Revs: BAΣIΛEΩΣ ANTIOXOY, Apollo seated left on omphalos testing arrow and resting left hand on grounded bow. Control mark ¥ outer left.
AE 23x24mm, 11.96g
Ref: SC 1048.1a; HGC 9, 466(R2)

I know there are some examples of this ruler out there, so post them here!

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Nice big bronze of Antiochos III!

Here is my tetradrachm I have showed recently in another thread:

image.jpeg.0a79ecfc543f7b0ed8750850a5c0a2d1.jpeg

Antiochos III Megas (223 - 187 B.C.). AR Tetradrachm. Antioch mint. Series 3, circa 204–197 B.C.

Obverse: Diademed head of Antiochos III to right.

Reverse: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ANTIOXOY. Apollo seated left on omphalos, holding arrow in his right hand and resting his left on grounded bow; to outer left, bow in bowcase. Reference: SC 1044.5a; Le Rider series 3-4, obv. A12; BMC 27; HGC 9, 447u.

17.07g 

Edited by Pavlos
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1 hour ago, Celator said:

Hello my old friend, glad to see you made it over here. Did you buy a house? 

Always liked the portrait on that Megas.

Hello! Long time no speak. I didn't recognize you because of the different name. I just joined a few days ago. I went through a tough renovation for my house, so I was inactive for a long time. Glad to be back.

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