Celator Posted December 7, 2022 · Member Share Posted December 7, 2022 I was playing with my daughter and made this 100% accurate and to scale Seleucid mahout. I know what you are thinking, this must have taken hundreds of hours of work to make this painstaking replica. what inspired this pièce de résistance was a coin I purchased earlier this year. It was these elephants that played a crucial role in the victory at Ipsus for Seleucus. They had groupings anywhere from 2 to 64 as a formation and had towers (howdahs) on their backs. They were heavily armored and had spear throwers and archers atop the animals. Seeing the success the Seleucid war elephants were having, Ptolemy IV started his own elephant corps. By the reign of Antiochus IV use of war elephants were on the decline, but still an intimidating force. Antiochus IV Mint: Ecbatana Denomination B 175 to 164 BC Obvs: Obvs: Elephant right with mahout, dotted border. Control on right. Revs: BAΣIΛEΩΣ on right ANTIOXOY on left, Nike advancing right holding fileted wreath. Control inner right and Π in exergue. AE 23mm, 8.21g Ref: SC 1554.2a; HGC 9, 677(R2) Please share your creations, muses, elephants, or other inspirations. 9 4 1 1 9 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roerbakmix Posted December 7, 2022 · Member Share Posted December 7, 2022 I had to check twice: which photo is the coin? Very impressive! must have been fun doing this with your daughter:) 4 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CPK Posted December 7, 2022 · Supporter Share Posted December 7, 2022 I don't know...looks like a looted artifact to me. 🤣 Nice replica and coin! For some reason I like coins with elephants. Here is a modern bullion coin with (IMO) a masterfully engraved scene: 9 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benefactor kirispupis Posted December 7, 2022 · Benefactor Benefactor Share Posted December 7, 2022 Looks like an exact replica! 9 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roman Collector Posted December 8, 2022 · Patron Share Posted December 8, 2022 How fun, @Celator! That's a cool Seleucid, too! Alright! An opportunity to show off my elephant coins! This is my oldest and tiniest: Antiochos III, 223-187 BC. Seleucid Æ 2.41g, 13.6 mm, 11 h. Lydia, Sardes. Obv: Laureate head of Apollo right. Rev: BAΣΙΛΕΩΣ ANTIOXOY, legend above and below elephant advancing left; upturned anchor before. Refs: SC 979; HGC 9, 560; Newell, WSM 1114; SNG Spaer 615. This is a Houghton* plate coin: Laodike IV, wife and sister of both Seleucus IV and Antiochus IV. Selucia in Pieria, 175-164 BC. AE 3.33 gm; 15 mm. Obv: Veiled bust of Laodike IV, r. Rev: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΝΤΙΟΧΟΥ (of King Antiochus), elephant head l.; prow. Refs: Houghton, CSE 113 (plate coin); Forrer 183. My most-recently acquired: Philip I, AD 244-249. Roman AR Antoninianus, 3.73 g, 22.4 mm, 7 h. Rome, AD 247. Obv: IMP PHILIPPVS AVG, radiate and draped bust, right. Rev: AETERNITAS AVGG, elephant guided by mahout with goad and wand, walking left. Refs: RIC 58; Cohen 17; RCV 8921; Hunter 31. *Houghton, Arthur. Coins of the Seleucid Empire from the Collection of Arthur Houghton. The American Numismatic Society, 1983. And my favorite of all, because it has Lady Godiva! It's pretty clear that this English die-engraver had never seen an actual elephant: Great Britain (Conder) Warwickshire, Coventry Halfpenny 1792 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AussieCollector Posted December 8, 2022 · Member Share Posted December 8, 2022 Love it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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