Gemini III, January 9th, 2007



                  Lot # 241 - Auction is closed.Estimate: US$4000 / Unsold: 
                  Available at opening bid of US$2400 + 15% Buyers Fee 
                  SELEUCID KINGDOM. Alexander I Balas. Silver tetradrachm 



             



            SELEUCID KINGDOM. Alexander I Balas. (152–145 BC). Silver 
            tetradrachm (16.07 gm). Antioch, Special issue of 149/8 BC. Diademed 
            head of Alexander I right / BAÓIËEÙÓ AËEÎANÄÑOÕ ÈEOÐATOÑOÓ 
            EÕEÑÃETOÕ, Athena standing left, supporting wreath-bearing Nike on 
            extended right hand and resting left on grounded shield, vertical 
            spear propped in crook of left arm, ÁÑ monogram above ÐÑ monogram in 
            inner left field, date ÄÎÑ (SE 164) in exergue. SC Part 2 
            (forthcoming), 1783b. One of only two recorded. Extremely rare. Very 
            fine. 

            Ex Numismatic Fine Arts VI, 27–28 February 1979, lot 378, where it 
            was estimated at $2,000 and brought $10,000. 

            As his personal reverse type Alexander Balas adopted the enthroned 
            Zeus Nicephorus of his supposed father, Antiochus IV. For unknown 
            reasons, in 149/8 he authorized a small special issue of Antiochene 
            tetradrachms depicting a standing Athena Nicephorus on the reverse. 
            The issue is signed by Antiochene magistrates, some of whom signed 
            the regular coinage for this year. But the obverse dies were 
            apparently reserved only for the special issue, as no die links to 
            the regular coinage have yet been identified. 




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  ... Lot 241 was unsold.
 


Re-used by permission of Harlan J Berk (www.harlanjberk.com) and
                         Freeman & Sear (www.freemanandsear.com)