Lot 5304

Description

Syria, Seleucis & Pieria, Antiochia ad Orontem (Antioch), Trajan, (A.D. 98-117), silver tetradrachm (14.620 grams), issued year 15 = 110-111, obv. Trajan laureate head to right, supported by eagle standing right, club behind, around AYTOKP KAIC NEP TPAIANOC CEB **GERM DAK*, rev. laureate bust of Melqarth to right, lion skin knotted at neck, around **DHMAPC EX IE UPATE*, (cf.S.1088, McAlee 460, Prieur 1515, Wruck 159, BMC 4). Off centred on reverse, otherwise very fine or better and scarce.

With collector's detailed ticket. The issue was assigned (by Wruck), to Seleucis and Pieria for Antioch ad Orontem mint. Wruck believed the reverse type to be Herakles and not Melqarth. The reverse legend indicates the fifteenth year of tribunician power and this corresponds to A.D. 110-111. Sear placed the issue with Tyre but subsequent scholarship has replaced it with Antioch. This example is a better than usual piece.