Nomos 25

SELEUKID KINGS. Antiochos III ‘the Great’, 223-187 BC. Oktadrachm (Gold, 30 mm, 34.17 g, 12 h), Seleucia on the Tigris, winter 211/210. Diademed head of Antiochos III to right. Rev. ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΝΤΙΟΧΟΥ Apollo, nude, seated to left on omphalos, drapery around his waist, testing arrow held in his right hand and resting his left on grounded bow, with grip marked by three discs, propped by his side; in outer field to left and right, monogram. AHNS 67 = SC 1158 = Triton XI, 2008, 292 (same dies). Extremely rare, apparently the second, and better, of two known examples. A lovely piece with a powerful portrait. A few minor marks, otherwise, extremely fine.

From a collection in America.

Struck from fresh dies, this exceptional piece was probably struck and distributed during the winter of 211/10, which Antiochus III spent with his army at Seleucia, prior to his departure for his campaigns in the Upper Satrapies. The excellent portrait, different from the standard ones seen at Seleucia, indicates that the dies were specially prepared in order to mint donatives commemorating the recent victories in Armenia. Obviously, successful armies were rewarded with part of the spoils from their victories, in the same way as civil and military authorities were given 'bonuses' on the accessions of new rulers, and on significant anniversaries. In some cases these special payments were made with unusual coins, such as the extensive series of silver dekadrachms minted in Sicily (do note that the very large silver coins struck in northern Greece were produced as a convenient way of exporting silver, rather than for payments per se). But gold was another matter. Really large gold coins had a value that was so high that they could never be thought of as being part of any normal monetary system; thus, this piece, which had a value of 4 gold staters, would have been an absolutely regal form of payment.