Sale: Triton VI, Lot: 450. Estimate $5000.  Closing Date: Monday, 13 January 2003.  Sold For $4250. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

SELEUKID KINGS of SYRIA. Seleukos II. 246-226 BC. AV Stater (8.57 gm). Antioch Mint. Struck circa 235 BC. Diademed head right / BASILEWS SEL-EUKOU, nude Apollo standing left, holding arrow and bow; monogram to outer left. SC 718 = Houghton, "The Tarik Darreh (Kangavar) Hoard," in ANSMN 25, pg. 33, 4 = Houghton 40 (this coin). EF. Very rare. (See color enlargement on plate 2.) ($5000) 

Ex Arthur Houghton Collection, 40; Tarik Dareh Hoard, 4. 

The Tarik Darreh hoard from western Iran was buried sometime around 230 BC, soon after Seleukos II had ordered the striking of substantial issues of gold at all the major Seleukid mints in preparation for his grand campaign to recover the eastern provinces. His military talents were not up to the effort, however, and when rebellion threatened in Antioch in 228 BC the Seleukid army was forced to withdraw, leaving Arsakes in firm control of Parthia.