Extremely Rare Distater

Triton XIX, Lot: 2065. Estimate $20000. Sold for $50000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

SELEUKID EMPIRE. Seleukos I Nikator. 312-281 BC. AV Distater (21.5mm, 17.16 g, 9h). Uncertain mint in Cappadocia, eastern Syria, or northern Mesopotamia. Struck circa 305-281 BC. Head of Athena right, wearing triple-crested Corinthian helmet adorned with a coiled serpent / BAΣIΛEΩΣ ΣEΛEYKOY, Nike standing left, holding wreath in extended right hand, cradling stylis in left arm; MA monogram below left wing. SC 55 (this coin illustrated); WSM 1334 (same obv. die as illustration); HGC 9, 1 (this coin illustrated). Near EF, toned, a touch of die wear. Extremely rare, one of four known (the others: Leu 20, lot 157 = M&M AG XIX, lot 518 [cited by WSM]; NAC 79, lot 17 = JDL Collection 33 = SBV 21, lot 87 = SBV 6, lot 84; Roma 9, lot 35 [all from the same die pair]).

From the collection of Dr. Lawrence A. Adams. Ex Phoenix Art Museum Collection (Triton II, 1 December 1998), lot 463; Orme Lewis Sr. Collection; Leu 36 (7 May 1985), lot 173.