Log in or Sign up
Coin Talk
Home
Forums
>
Coin Forums
>
Ancient Coins
>
A coin from a mint on the edge of the world
>
Reply to Thread
Message:
<p>[QUOTE="David@PCC, post: 3255198, member: 80556"]By edge of the world I mean for the areas of interest I collect in the Greek world. I'm trying to collect all rulers of the Seleucid kingdom for which I have 25. I also am interested in getting as many mints as possible for which I have 24 currently. My latest comes from a remote corner of the known Greek world. </p><p>As Alexander was conquering the territories of the former achaemenid empire he renamed as many as 60 or 70 cities after himself. He made it as far as present day India before returning to Babylon. After his death in 323 BC, wars were fought amongst his generals and his territory was eventually divided among them. The furthest reaches to the East went to Seleucus. One mint in particular was established by him around 285 BC now known as AI Khanoum, some also believe it is the site of Alexandria on the Oxus. </p><p>It is a very remote mint indeed being some 2500 miles from Athens. Located in Northern Afganistan near the border of Tajikistan, foreigners are forbidden to enter without permission and the area is near Taliban territory. </p><p>[ATTACH=full]855035[/ATTACH] </p><p><br /></p><p>Ai Khanoum is located between Bactra and Alexander Eschate (Alexandria the furthest), believed to be the farthest point Alexander reached. </p><p>The present site was only discovered in the 1960's by a hunting party when Greek columns were seen in the ground. For 14 years French archaeologist excavated the area and came to the conclusion it was built by Seleucus I in the 290's. Built near the Oxus river it had tall walls and Greek style architecture. Prior to excavations no one knew there was a mint there. Only after were found coin blanks as well as a shared symbol found on coins and bricks from the city, of a triangle within a circle. </p><p>Archaeologist were getting down to the earliest parts of the city when the Afgan war broke out. No one has been back since to excavate and the area has since been bulldozed. It was also used a battle site between Taliban and Afgan forces, trenches and all. </p><p>For those interested in coins from this rare mint Brian Kritt has a good book on the subject. </p><p>[ATTACH=full]855075[/ATTACH] </p><p><br /></p><p>Seleucid coins from this mint are rare because it was only in operation for 30 years before the Bactrians took control of the area. The only Seleucid rulers to mint there are Seleucus I, Antiochus I/II, and for 2 years under Antiochus III when he briefly took it back. </p><p>AI Khanoum was completely abandoned after 150 BC, burned, and overrun by northern invaders. In the market bronze coins are less plentiful than silver and possibly gold. Mine was minted early on under Antiochus I.</p><p>[ATTACH=full]855076[/ATTACH] </p><p>Antiochus I</p><p>Mint: <b>Ai Khanoum</b></p><p>281 to 261 BC</p><p>Obvs: Beardless head of Heracles right wearing lion skin headdress.</p><p>Revs: Humped bull walking right.</p><p>16mm, 2.99g</p><p>SC 441.1; HGC 10, 187(R3)</p><p><br /></p><p>I believe this mint may tie for the oldest coins ever minted in present day Afganistan, if anyone has an older known coin from within this country's border please share!</p><p><br /></p><p>I also have the furthest West Seleucid mint 2300 miles west of Ai Khanoum.</p><p>[ATTACH=full]855077[/ATTACH] </p><p>Antiochus Hierax</p><p>Mint: <b>Alexandria Troas</b></p><p>AR Tetradrachm</p><p>242 to 227 BC</p><p>Obvs: Diademed head of Antiochus Hierax with prominant cheekbone.</p><p>Revs: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ on r., ANTIOXOY on l., partially nude, with slight drapery on thigh, Apollo seated l. on omphalos, testing arrow and resting l. hand on grounded bow that has pellets that symbolize the handle. Horse symbol in exergue and two control monograms in left field.</p><p>29x30mm, 16.35g</p><p>Sear GCV 6919, SC 877.2</p><p><br /></p><p>A great video describing the site over the last 50 years and the cities history.</p><p>[MEDIA=youtube]EfNZbCVQl0I[/MEDIA]</p><p><br /></p><p>Let's see some Seleucid mints![/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>
[QUOTE="David@PCC, post: 3255198, member: 80556"]By edge of the world I mean for the areas of interest I collect in the Greek world. I'm trying to collect all rulers of the Seleucid kingdom for which I have 25. I also am interested in getting as many mints as possible for which I have 24 currently. My latest comes from a remote corner of the known Greek world. As Alexander was conquering the territories of the former achaemenid empire he renamed as many as 60 or 70 cities after himself. He made it as far as present day India before returning to Babylon. After his death in 323 BC, wars were fought amongst his generals and his territory was eventually divided among them. The furthest reaches to the East went to Seleucus. One mint in particular was established by him around 285 BC now known as AI Khanoum, some also believe it is the site of Alexandria on the Oxus. It is a very remote mint indeed being some 2500 miles from Athens. Located in Northern Afganistan near the border of Tajikistan, foreigners are forbidden to enter without permission and the area is near Taliban territory. [ATTACH=full]855035[/ATTACH] Ai Khanoum is located between Bactra and Alexander Eschate (Alexandria the furthest), believed to be the farthest point Alexander reached. The present site was only discovered in the 1960's by a hunting party when Greek columns were seen in the ground. For 14 years French archaeologist excavated the area and came to the conclusion it was built by Seleucus I in the 290's. Built near the Oxus river it had tall walls and Greek style architecture. Prior to excavations no one knew there was a mint there. Only after were found coin blanks as well as a shared symbol found on coins and bricks from the city, of a triangle within a circle. Archaeologist were getting down to the earliest parts of the city when the Afgan war broke out. No one has been back since to excavate and the area has since been bulldozed. It was also used a battle site between Taliban and Afgan forces, trenches and all. For those interested in coins from this rare mint Brian Kritt has a good book on the subject. [ATTACH=full]855075[/ATTACH] Seleucid coins from this mint are rare because it was only in operation for 30 years before the Bactrians took control of the area. The only Seleucid rulers to mint there are Seleucus I, Antiochus I/II, and for 2 years under Antiochus III when he briefly took it back. AI Khanoum was completely abandoned after 150 BC, burned, and overrun by northern invaders. In the market bronze coins are less plentiful than silver and possibly gold. Mine was minted early on under Antiochus I. [ATTACH=full]855076[/ATTACH] Antiochus I Mint: [B]Ai Khanoum[/B] 281 to 261 BC Obvs: Beardless head of Heracles right wearing lion skin headdress. Revs: Humped bull walking right. 16mm, 2.99g SC 441.1; HGC 10, 187(R3) I believe this mint may tie for the oldest coins ever minted in present day Afganistan, if anyone has an older known coin from within this country's border please share! I also have the furthest West Seleucid mint 2300 miles west of Ai Khanoum. [ATTACH=full]855077[/ATTACH] Antiochus Hierax Mint: [B]Alexandria Troas[/B] AR Tetradrachm 242 to 227 BC Obvs: Diademed head of Antiochus Hierax with prominant cheekbone. Revs: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ on r., ANTIOXOY on l., partially nude, with slight drapery on thigh, Apollo seated l. on omphalos, testing arrow and resting l. hand on grounded bow that has pellets that symbolize the handle. Horse symbol in exergue and two control monograms in left field. 29x30mm, 16.35g Sear GCV 6919, SC 877.2 A great video describing the site over the last 50 years and the cities history. [MEDIA=youtube]EfNZbCVQl0I[/MEDIA] Let's see some Seleucid mints![/QUOTE]
Your name or email address:
Do you already have an account?
No, create an account now.
Yes, my password is:
Forgot your password?
Stay logged in
Coin Talk
Home
Forums
>
Coin Forums
>
Ancient Coins
>
A coin from a mint on the edge of the world
>
Home
Home
Quick Links
Search Forums
Recent Activity
Recent Posts
Forums
Forums
Quick Links
Search Forums
Recent Posts
Competitions
Competitions
Quick Links
Competition Index
Rules, Terms & Conditions
Gallery
Gallery
Quick Links
Search Media
New Media
Showcase
Showcase
Quick Links
Search Items
Most Active Members
New Items
Directory
Directory
Quick Links
Directory Home
New Listings
Members
Members
Quick Links
Notable Members
Current Visitors
Recent Activity
New Profile Posts
Sponsors
Menu
Search
Search titles only
Posted by Member:
Separate names with a comma.
Newer Than:
Search this thread only
Search this forum only
Display results as threads
Useful Searches
Recent Posts
More...