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SeleucusNikatorITetradrachm

hieron

By hieron

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AR Seleucus I Nicator Tetradrachm (312-281 B.C.) Susa mint c.305-300 B.C. (16.57g, 27mm) O: Head of Alexander to right in panther-skin helmet decorated with bull's horns and ear showing attributes of Dionysus; panther skin tied around neck. Newell, ESM 426. SC 173.4. R: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΣΕΛΕΥΚΟΥ; Nike standing r. crowning trophy of arms and armor. TAI monogram to lower left, ΠΡΥ monogram between Nike and trophy. G: “It is mostly bright, but not over cleaned. There are a few small die breaks, but it is a very sharp and handsome coin,” EJW. “Sharply struck and of exceptional style. Good extremely fine and certainly one of the finest known of the type,” F&S. EF. Ex Freeman and Sear 1/5/10 Manhattan Sale, lot 86. Ex W.B. and R.E. Montgomery Collection. S: Edward J. Waddell, Ltd. 7/26/2010

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Macedon:Philip II, Alexander III, & successors

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paul1888
This is an outstanding coin. An artistic masterpiece of which few other coins can match (In my novice opinion) Congratulations. You will soon be challenging the stature of the British Museum. If I could give it higher than a 10, I would.
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AlexB
A wonderful coin, inspiring! Any thoughts on the legend being a little different to the majority of these on the reverse? I've just had a look through Coin Archives and couldn't see a match. I guess that makes it unique!. Alex
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hieron
Thanks for the kind comments guys. I was pleased to be able to snag this beauty for my collection. I don't have any additional information on the reverse Alex, but I noticed it was a bit different myself. Maybe someone on this site will have some more insight to add. -h
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hieron
Thanks, Jim and Mark. I lucked out getting this one. It's a beaut and I think it is significantly better than the Roma Numismatics example you found, Mark. I also compared it to all the examples I could find on acsearch.com and coinarchives.com (I don't have the Pro version so I may have missed some examples) and couldn't find any within a half grade or more as good. The celator who did the obverse of this coin was a much better artist than the celator who did the reverse die IMHO, but the condition of the reverse is hard to fault. -c
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AlexB

Mark

 

I don't think the Roma one is EF, has quite alot of rub/wear but is a great example in itself for type. It seems to be from the NAC sale in March. Your coin was a relative bargain Clay, prices have gone through the roof. There was another such coin in the F&S sale, lot next to yours, not a patch on your example. Congrats again.

 

Your coin is slightly lighter than the others which tend to be an attic 17g+ in most cases though I cannot see why that would be given condition. Maybe slightly later in series? Also, as you state, the celators skill on display for the observe suggests a different artist to the reverse - maybe the dies for the important obverse were sent out from a central location, as they show remarkable consistency (1 main die cutter?), and the reverse's were left to local means? However, this does suggest more than one mint in the East for these and I frankly have no idea on that (though I would guess necessary for the size of the empire).

 

As you can see, I have CA Pro, and will for at least another a couple of months yet. There are quite a few of this type (9) over the years, including yours, but none as good.

 

Mark - mine was a fouree. I hope an ancient one! Is also on CA Pro - ex.Gemini, ex.Pars...

 

Alex

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hieron

I wondered about the weight, Alex, though there were several examples in this weight range on acsearch.com, but 17 is clearly the norm. Nice to know the additional examples on CA Pro are representative.

 

I imagine the best celators did get obverses. That's the way I would organize things if I were in charge. I can't help suspecting there are others of these hidden out in Iran or Syria.

 

Clay

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