Sale: Triton VIII, Lot: 535. Estimate $1500.  Closing Date: Monday, 10 January 2005.  Sold For $1400. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

SELEUKID KINGS of SYRIA. Antiochos III, “the Great.” 223-187 BC. AR Tetradrachm (16.83 gm, 1h). Uncertain mint, perhaps Apamea. Struck 223/2 BC. Diademed head of Seleukos III right / BASILEWS ANTI-OCOU, Apollo seated left on omphalos, nude but for slight drapery on right thigh, holding arrow in right hand, left hand resting on bow; monogram to outer left. SC 999.2; WSM 1696, pl. LXXXIV, 10 (same obverse die); SNG Spaer -; Houghton -. Good VF, lightly toned. ($1500)

The obverse die on this coin was used to strike issues in the name of both Seleukos III and Antiochos III. According to Mørkholm, these coins can be related to the campaign of Seleukos III in Asia Minor. After Seleukos’ murder, his general Achaios refused the crown offered to him and insisted on the legitimacy of Antiochos. This coinage was struck immediately before and after the assassination, perhaps in the camp, under the authority of Antioch magistrates (this coin shares its reverse monogram with an issue from Antioch). The reuse of the portrait die signals the emergency nature of this issue.