SELEUKID KINGS. Seleukos I Nikator, 312-281 BC. Tetradrachm (Silver, 22 mm, 16.33 g, 9 h), Susa, circa 288/7. Laureate head of Zeus to right. Rev. Horned elephant walking right; above, spearhead right; in exergue, monogram. CSE 1031. HGC 9, -. SC 187.2a. Extremely rare. Traces of corrosion, otherwise, about very fine.


This extremely rare and highly unusual emission features an elephant on the reverse side. The motif undoubtedly references the Anabasis of Seleucus nearly two decades earlier, during which he made a treaty with Chandragupta, securing 500 war elephants and later ensuring his victory over Antigonus I Monophthalmus. Unlike earlier eastern tetradrachms, this one does not depict Zeus in an elephant quadriga but rather a single animal, with no accompanying legend. The origins of this peculiar and anonymous emission remain shrouded in mystery but probably stem from a local background.