Lot 3204

Description

Syria, Kingdom of, Seleucus II, (246-226 B.C.), silver tetradrachm, (16.650 grams), Ecbatana mint, issued 240-232 B.C., obv. diademed head of Seleucus II to right, rev. Apollo standing to left, holding arrow and leaning on tripod, on right **BASILEWS, to left **SE LEUKOU*, to left horse head and **SOE* monogram, to right XIO monogram, (cf.S.6896, SC 811.2, Newell ESM 556, CSE 1153, SNG Israel (Spaer) -, BMC -). High relief, bright, some surface porosity on reverse, test mark on obverse, otherwise very fine/fine and very rare.

Ex Recent 'Seleucid Hoard'. Newell notes a total of 2 tetradrachms of this type both in public collections, all from the same dies as this example. The mint of Ecbatana struck only a few tetradrachms of the standing Apollo and tripod type. The entire issue must be small as all varieties seem to be linked by the same obverse die. ESM knew of only three tetradrachms of all varieties of the Apollo standing type from this mint. This hoard has furnished several more examples, SC illustrates the CSE example and all examples known appear to be worn coins.