| Leu Numismatik AG > Web Auction 28 | Auction date: 9 December 2023 |
| Lot number: 1688 Price realized: 950 CHF (Approx. 1,080 USD / 1,003 EUR) Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees. | Show similar lots on CoinArchives Find similar lots in upcoming auctions on  |
| Lot description: SELEUKID KINGS OF SYRIA. Seleukos I Nikator, 312-281 BC, or Antiochos I, 281-261 BC. Obol (Silver, 9 mm, 0.60 g, 11 h), uncertain mint in the East. Head of Athena to right, wearing crested Corinthian helmet. Rev. Horned head of a horse to right; behind, B; before, monogram of ΠA. Leu Web Auction 16 (22-24 May 2021), 1088 (misattributed to Asia Minor). SC -. Unpublished except for the misattributed example in Leu Web Auction 16. A highly interesting discovery of great historical interest, apparently the second and by far the finest known example. The obverse struck from a slightly worn die, otherwise, extremely fine. From a European collection, formed before 2005. The appearance of this much sharper coin now makes it very likely that this enigmatic issue is of Seleukid origin, combining, on the obverse, Alexander's Nike from his gold coinage with the Seleukid horned horse on the reverse. Unfortunately, the legends - a plain B (likely for BAΣΙΛΕΩΣ) and a monogram - do not tell us whether the coin was issued under Seleukos I or his son, Antiochos I (or perhaps in their joint reign?), but the fabric is certainly eastern. The issue is perhaps connected to SC 407, an extremely rare obol with an elephant on the obverse and a similar horse on the reverse assigned by SC to Antiochos I (see lot 1689 below), although their differing styles point to different mints. In any case, both coins are of great interest and do merit further research. Starting price: 100 CHF |  |
