SELEUKID KINGS. Antiochos II Theos, 261-246 BC. Tetradrachm (Silver, 29 mm, 16.95 g, 11 h), Alexandria in Aria (Artacoana), 261-circa 255. Diademed head of Antiochos I to right. Rev. BAΣIΛEΩΣ - ANTIOXOY Apollo seated left on omphalos, holding arrow in his right hand and resting his left on grounded bow; to outer right, monogram and BA. ESM 728. SC 612.5. Very rare. An exceptionally attractive example of this interesting issue. Light die wear on the obverse and with a minor scratch on the reverse, otherwise, extremely fine.

Alexandria in Aria was founded by Alexander the Great on or near the site of the ancient Persian city of Artacoana, the capital of the satrapy of Aria, which was located in the area of modern-day Herat. It was refounded or newly fortified by Antiochos I in the 280s BC and remained one of the Seleukid Empire’s easternmost strongholds until it was lost to the Diodotoi following their revolt around 255 BC. Thus, this very rare coin can be dated to the period between 261 and 255 BC