Lot 3338

Description

Cilicia, Satrap of Cilicia, Mazaios, (361-334 B.C.) silver stater, (10.516 grams), Tarsus mint, obv. Baal of Tarsus enthroned to left holding corn ear with bunch of grapes and lotus-headed sceptre, behind Aramaic legend 'Baal tarz', below and left of throne other letters, dotted border, rev. lion left on the back of a bull kneeling left which it attacks with jaws and claws, above Aramaic legend 'Mazdai', all within circle of dots, (S.5650, SNG France 2, 332, SNG Levante 103). Lightly toned, slightly off centred on the obverse otherwise as struck good very fine/extremely fine and a rare variety.

Mazaios ruled Cilicia for 27 years, until just before the Macedonian conquest. Later, under Alexander, he became governor of Babylonia.