Sale: CNG 67, Lot: 865. Estimate $4000.  Closing Date: Wednesday, 22 September 2004.  Sold For $5250. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

SELEUKID KINGS of SYRIA. Antiochos III (the Great). 223-187 BC. AR Tetradrachm (16.81 gm). Uncertain mint in Northern Mesopotamia. Struck circa 195-187 BC. Diademed head right / Elephant walking right; ES below trunk. SC 1135.1; Houghton, "The Elephants of Nisibis," ANSMN 31 (1986), pg. 113 (A4/P-; unlisted reverse die); SNG Spaer -; WSM -; Houghton -. VF, darkly toned. Extremely rare variety, only one specimen cited in SC. ($4000)

From the Garth R. Drewry Collection. Ex Classical Numismatic Group 57 (4 April 2001), lot 573.

Houghton initially followed Newell in ascribing this rare issue to Nisibis in Mesopotamia, but further study of the series, regarding control mark linkage and kind spots, leads him to ascribe the elephant coinage to an uncertain Mesopotamian mint, striking to supply funds for Antiochos as he confronted the Roman general Scipio who had invaded Asia Minor.