SELEUKID KINGS. Antiochos I Soter, 281-261 BC. Tetradrachm (Silver, 29 mm, 16.66 g, 12 h), Pergamon, struck under Philetairos, circa 280. Head of Herakles to right, wearing lion skin headdress. Rev. ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ Zeus seated left on low throne, holding long scepter in his left hand and eagle standing right with closed wings in his right; in field to left, helmeted head of Athena to right; below throne, star. Price 1471. SC 307.2 (this coin cited and illustrated on pl. 17). Very rare. Somewhat rough and with a few scrapes and minor trace sof corrosion, otherwise, good 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.