Interesting Persis/Seleukid Tetradrachm

[bpmurphy]

Brian Kritt, on page 83 of his book The Early Seleucid Mint of Susa, states that no Persis coins are known overstruck on Seleukos I trophy types. Here is the first....

KINGS of PERSIS. Autophradates (Vadfradad) I. Early 2nd century BC. AR Tetradrachm (16.77gm). Head right, with moustache, wearing diadem and satrapal cap (kyrbasia) / Fire temple of Ahura-Mazda; on left, Autophradates standing right, resting hand on bow set on ground; above, half-figure of Ahura-Mazda; to right, standard. Alram 533.

underype....

SELEUKID KINGS of SYRIA. Seleukos I Nikator. 312-280 BC. AR Tetradrachm. Susa mint. Struck circa 305/4-295 BC. Head of Alexander right, wearing helmet covered with panther skin and adorned with the ear and horns of a bull / BASILEWS SELEUKOU, Nike standing right erecting trophy; M below left wing, AX in field between Nike and trophy. SC 173.13; Kritt Variety O (uncertain dies); ESM 420.

Much of the undertype is clearly visible. On the obverse the visor, horn and Alexander's profile can clearly be seen. On the reverse BASILEWS is almost complete, the S in SELEUKOU can be seen, the M and AX are visible, the top of Nike's wing, her head and hand are clear, and the top of the trophy and the shield are visible.

This coin clearly shows, as Kritt says, that the Trophy coins continued to circulate for a long time after the Seleukids lost control of Persis in 295 BC.

Barry Murphy

[bpmurphy]

the undertype, courtesy of Peus....

Barry

[El Reye]

What a great find!

Thanks Barry