Lot 4561

Description

Syria, Seleucis and Pierra, Laodicea, (1st century B.C., but before 47 B.C.), silver tetradrachm, (14.722 grams), issued 52-1 B.C., obv. turreted and veiled bust of Tyche to right bead and reel border, rev. Zeus enthroned to left, holding Nike and sceptre, **LAODIKE[WN] THS IEPAS [KAI]* to right, **AUTONOMOU* to left, to left **L* (year 30 = 52-1 B.C.), **IS*, monogram of **PA* below throne, *[SE]* in exergue, (S.5874 [£250], ANSMN 28, Morkholm No.33 [notes 7 specimens and illustrates Plates 17, 33 same obverse die). Lightly toned, good very fine and very scarce.

The study of this series of tetradrachms of Laodicea by Morkholm in ANSMN 28 shows that these civic tetradrachms that began in 81-0 B.C., survive in only small numbers. He records 145 examples from 34 obverse dies