Lot 1827

Description

Syria, Seleucid, Kingdom of, Seleucos I, in the name of Alexander III, (312-280 B.C.), silver tetradrachm, (17.205 grams), Aradus mint (Price) but now more probably an uncertain eastern mint in Babylonia or Mesopotamia (Houghton - Price Memorial Volume p.146), issued c.305-301 B.C. under Seleucos I, obv. head of Herakles to right wearing lion skin with dotted border, rev. Zeus seated on throne to left, eagle in outstretched hand, anchor and A to left, M under throne, to right **ALECANDR[OU]*, in exergue **BASILEUS, (cf.S.6713, Price 3359, BMC 3359a-b, M.1511). Well centred, good very fine and a rare type featuring the Seleucid anchor symbol.

Die links between tetradrachms of Alexander type struck in the name of Alexander the Great at Aradus and other issues that were previously given to Marathus mint by Newell, now removes Aradus from this group of tetradrachms being struck at the mint at Aradus. The coins are now given by Houghton as an issue for Seleucos I in an uncertain eastern mint. See also SNG Spaer 146 for issue in this series attributed to this uncertain mint as being in Mesopotamia.