Babylon, under Alexander III. (the Great), circa 328-311 BC.,
Lion Stater / Tetradrachm / Double Shekel (21-23 mm / 16,78 g),
Obv.: obverse Baal seated left on diphros, holding scepter in right and resting left hand on seat.
Rev.: Lion walking left; ANT monogram above, two small, deep test cuts on the lion´s body.
cf. Nicolet-Pierre, "Argent et Or Frappés en Babylonie Entre 331 et 311 ou de Mazdai a Séleucos," in Essays to Le Rider, pg. 294, 15; Traité 795 ; SNG Berry 1457 .
The 'lion staters' of Babylon were an important local component of Alexander the Great's eastern coinage. Based on a Cilician prototype, they were introduced by Alexander and survived for nearly half a century. Early issues belong to the Babylonian satrapies of Mazaeus (331-328) and his successor, Mazakes. The later issues with a pentagram or anchor above the lion were struck under Seleukos, who was satrap of Babylon from 321-317/6 and from 312 onward. Most scholars favor the second satrapy for Seleukos' lion staters. The denomination is usually described as a stater or tetradrachm, but most likely is a two-shekel of the Babylonian standard of ca. 8.4 grams. Historically, the earliest pieces are linked with the 5-shekel and 2-shekel 'Poros' coinages of Alexander.
Linear Mode
