Background on Greek coins.pdf - RebelText

largest part of what had been Alexander’s empire. For a time Seleucus
continued minting the Alexander tetradrachms, but soon he developed a coinage
of his own along side it. This drachm is one. It depicts the head of Zeus on the
obverse and, on the reverse, an elephant quadriga pulling Athena. This type is
an allusion to Seleucus’ use of battle elephants from the time he entered into a
treaty with the Indian king Chandragupta, in which he bartered whole provinces
for 500 war elephants. The elephants proved decisive in the battle of Ipsus a
year later, in 303 BC. The floating anchor is a common device adopted by
Seleucus because of an anchor-shaped birth mark the he had on his thigh,
according to Seltman (p. 227). This is a well-centered, high-grade example of
an important type; note the remarkable detail on so small of a coin.
Seleucid Kingdom, Seleucus I Nicator, 312-281 BC, AR Drachm minted at
Seleucia-Tigris, 2 nd workshop, ca. 296/5-281 BC (4.27 g). Laureate head of
Zeus right/Athena in elephant quadriga. SC 131.5c. ESM 78A.
Antiochos V, Tetradrachm (164-162 BC)
Of all the portraits of the Seleukid dynasts, this tetradrachm of Antiochos V, the
boy king, is among the most magnificent. Antiochos inherited the throne at the
age of 9 after the sudden death of Antiochus IV (brother of Seleucus IV) in 164
BC. He was murdered after two years by his cousin, Demetrius I.
Syria, Seleukid Kingdom, Antiochos V, 164-162 BC. AR Tetradrachm minted at Antioch
or Seleucis (16.61 g). Diademed head right of Antiochos V/Zeus enthroned left, holding Nike
and scepter; monogram in exergue and outer left field. Houghton CSE 141 (this coin). From
the Ma’aret en-Numan hoard (1979). This coin possesses a magnificent portrait of this childking,
then about 10 years old.
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