As some on this forum may know, I am a fan of Seleukos I Nikator and his coins. I recently picked up an interesting coin that was minted in his name. Seleukos I Nikator AR Tetradrachm circa 280 B.C. Pergamon mint. Struck under Philetairos, in the name of Seleukos I, types of Alexander III of Macedon. 29.5mm, 17.12 g. Obv. Head of Herakles right, wearing lion skin. Rev: Zeus Aëtophorus seated left; in left field, helmeted head of Athena right; crescent below throne. SC 308b; HGC 9, 125a. What makes this tetradrachm so interesting to me is that it was struck in the city of Pergamon by Philetairos, founder of the Attalid dynasty, in the name of Seleukos I Nikator, the founder of the Seleucid Empire, shortly after his assassination by a son of Ptolemy I Soter, founder of the Ptolemaic dynasty. After several years of peace, the Diadochi resumed their incessant struggle for Alexander's Empire in 308 B.C. in what became known as the 4th War of the Diadochi. The war came to a climactic end at the Battle of Ipsus in 301 B.C. with the death of Antigonus I Monophthalmus against a coalition of Lysimachus, Kassander, and Seleukos. After the battle the division of the realm of Antigonus gave western Anatolia, including Pergamon, to Lysimachus. Lysimachus would establish a mint in Pergamon that issued an abundance of tetradrachms. He also entrusted the royal treasury, rumored to consist of over 9,000 talents of silver, and the city itself, to an officer and eunuch named Philetairos. Due to some unknown reason, Philetaeros deserted Lysimachus in 282 B.C. and offered his allegiance, the city of Pergamon, and the treasury to Seleukos I Nikator. Unsurprisingly, war between the two kingdoms quickly commenced and the at the Battle of Corupedium in 281 B.C. the 80 year old Lysimachus was killed. As a result of his victory, Seleukos I Nikator (nominally) controlled almost all of Alexander's old empire save Egypt. It was not to last. Upon crossing into Thrace, Seleukos I was murdered by Ptolemy Keraunos. Ptolemy Keraunos was the oldest son of the founder of the Ptolemaic dynasty of Egypt, Ptolemy I Soter. Ptolemy I Soter had named his younger son heir apparent, and as a half brother and potential rival, Keraunos was not safe in Egypt. He had fled to Seleukos to solicit aid, but murdered him in an attempt to gain the crown of Macedon. With the death of Seleukos, Pergamon became a de facto independent kingdom, while still nominally part of the Seleucid empire. Under Philetaeros the city greatly expanded both economically and in size. New fortifications and temples were constructed for the city. It would go on to become a center of art, science, architecture, and literature in the Hellenistic world under Attalid rule, which lasted for almost 150 years. Feel free to post your coins of Pergamon, Seleukos, the Attalids, or anything else you think is relevant.
Great write up! I too like the reverse Athena - a very intriguing mark to use, considering how closely it matches the Athena obverses from other regions. Here's my Seleukos I Nikator tetradrachm of one of his other major types from the Susa mint: Seleukid Empire, Seleukos I Nikator AR Tetradrachm. Susa, circa 300-294 BC. Head of Seleukos I right, wearing helmet covered with panther skin and adorned with bull's ears and horns, panther skin tied around neck / Nike standing right, wearing peplos, crowning trophy of Macedonian arms set on sapling tree, from which branch sprouts near base; ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΣΕΛΕΥΚΟΥ around; AP below left wing, monogram in lower middle field. SC 173.15; ESMS 106; HGC 9, 20; SNG Spaer -; Houghton -. 17.21g, 27mm
Wow, way cool on the Nikator @TheRed ! That was a bizaar time with all the wars of the Diadochi! Neat Athena device on reverse! One of my Seleukid I Nikators: Seleucid Seleukos I 312-280 BCE AE 20 Athena-Elephant Spaer 129 One of my Lysmachos Thrace Lysimachos AE 14 306 BC Apollo forepart of Lion
Nice coin @TheRed ! This tetradrachm is from Ekbatana. Ekbatana was the eastern-most mint the struck Alexander tetradrachms. The authors of Seleucid Coins suggest this type began in 295 BC and was perhaps contemporary with issues in the name of Seleukos. Seleukos I Nikator. 312-281 BC. AR Tetradrachm (25.5mm, 16.82 g). In the name of Alexander III of Macedon. Ekbatana mint. Struck circa 311-295/81 BC. Note: This is the Wildwinds.com example. From the collection of Dr. Will Gordon, Ex Classical Numismatic Group 61 (September 2002), lot 479.
Thanks @Orfew Athena looks even better in hand is my favourite element of the reverse. @AncientJoe that is an amazing tetradrachm, quite possibly the nicest of Seleukos I have ever seen. That issue is one of the most beautiful of the Hellenistic era. Thanks @Alegandron I have to get one of those Lysimachus bronze with the lion reverse. He is reputed to have killed a lion with his hands. That is a great tet @Ed Snible and one of three tet mints for Seleukos I that I have yet to pick up. I also need Sardes and Karrhai.
Couple of Silvers: Seleukid Seleukos I 312-280 BCE AR Tet 14.46g Seleucia on Tigris. Zeus - Athena driving a quadriga of 4 horned elephants SC 130 Thrace -Lysimachos AR drachm 305-281 BCE EXTREMELY RARE Alexander head-Ammon horns - rev Lysimachos Athena
Great coin @TheRed! @AncientJoe I could only dream of ever owning this type... especially one as stunning as yours. Maybe I'll win the lottery tonight. Here's a couple from Seleukos I and one from Philetairos.
