Lot 1641

Description

Cilicia, Satrap of Cilicia, Mazaios, (361-334 B.C.) silver stater, (10.52 g), Tarsos 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, light porosity on obverse, slightly off centred on the obverse, otherwise as struck good very fine and a rare variety.

Ex Alan Jordan Collection, Noble Numismatics Sale 103 (lot 3528), previously Sale 73 (lot 3338).

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