SELEUKID KINGS. Seleukos I Nikator, 312-281 BC. Tetradrachm (Silver, 29 mm, 16.83 g, 12 h), in the types of Alexander the Great. Pergamon, struck under Philetairos, circa 281-280. Head of Herakles to right, wearing lion skin headdress. Rev. ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ - ΣΕΛΕΥΚΟΥ Zeus seated left on low throne, holding long scepter in his left hand and eagle standing right with closed wings in his right; to left, head of Athena to right, wearing crested Corinthian helmet; below throne, star. SC 308. WSM 1531. Rare and of beautiful early Hellenistic style. About very fine.


Newell suggested that this interesting issue was struck by Philetairos in the aftermath of Seleukos' assassination by Ptolemy Keraunos in 281 BC, in combination with coins naming Alexander the Great (SC 306-307). The issue thus formed an intermediate step in the dynast's strife for independence. Later, Philetairos would go on to issue his own coinage, placing Seleukos' portrait on the obverse but his own name and type on the reverse.