Freeman & Sear - F&S Mail Bid Sale #11

Bid Sale #11 Lots

Lot: 161

G4053
SELEUCID KINGDOM: Seleucus II Callinicus. 246-226 BC. AR 
tetradrachm (16.53 gm).

SELEUCID KINGDOM: Seleucus II Callinicus (246-226 BC). 
AR tetradrachm (16.53 gm), Uncertain Mint 37, in 
Mesopotamia west of Nisibis. Diademed head of Seleucus 
II right, with close-cropped beard / Apollo standing 
left, examining arrow and resting elbow on tall tripod, 
APT monogram in outer left field, PARN monogram in outer 
right field. Cf. 680.3 (where the portrait is clean 
shaven). Unique and important. Overstruck on a 
tetradrachm of Alexander III, some flaws as a result. 
Otherwise good very fine
This is the first known example of a coin portraying 
Seleucus II with a close-cropped beard. Seemingly it 
represents the earliest stage of the beard he grew for 
his eastern campaign, which appears short and curly on 
tetradrachms of Nisibis and Susa. The beard raises 
questions about the location of the mint of this coin. 
Its previously known products fall into two series, 
interrupted by a brief coinage for Antiochus Hierax. 
Houghton and Lorber placed the mint in Cilicia. But now 
that it can be connected with the preparations for the 
eastern campaign, a location in western Mesopotamia 
seems more likely. This in fact accords with the ancient 
sources, which report that Hierax invaded Mesopotamia 
after his expulsion from Asia Minor. 
Estimated Value: $ 750 


 Lot sold for $550, [ approx 412.5 EUR, 286 GBP ] plus 15% buyers fee. 

Re-used by permission of Freeman and Sear, www.freemanandsear.com.