Lot 2015
Seleucid Kingdom. Antiochos II Theos, 261-246 BC. Gold Stater (8.52 g), Miletos(?) mint, struck c. 250 BC. Extremely rare, one of only two Alexandrine staters from this issue, and the only example with this control mark. Struck in the name of Alexander. Head of Athena right, with crested Corinthian helmet decorated with a serpent. Reverse: Nike standing left, holding wreath and palm; monogram in left field, AΛEΞANΔP[OY] at right. SC 548a = Price 3785 = A. Houghton, "Tarik Darreh (Kangavar) Hoard," ANSMN 25 (1980), 34 (this coin); WSM -; Müller -. Sharp, clean strike on tight flan. Small ancient bump on rim of helmet, otherwise choice; with very handsome art, and very lustrous. Choice Extremely Fine.
Estimated Value $3,500 - 4,500.
CNG 54 (6-14-00), lot 484; NFA II (3-25-76), lot 119; Tarik Darreh Hoard.
The attribution of this piece to Miletos, circa 250 BC under Antiochos II, is based upon the hoard evidence and the presence of the palm branch, a motif which is present on his coinage of Asia Minor (see SC, pg. 195). The date and location suggest that the occasion for this rare issue was the liberation of Miletos from Ptolemaic authority, the event which prompted Antiochos to assume his title of "Theos."
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| Realized $3,450 |
