SELEUKID KINGS. Antiochos I Soter, 281-261 BC. Tetradrachm (Silver, 28 mm, 17.07 g, 12 h), Smyrna, circa 269/8-261. 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 inner right, monogram of ΘΕ; in exergue, monogram of ΑΤΡ. HGC 9, 128a. SC 311.2. WSM 1494. Nicely toned and with an excellent portrait, a lovely coin of attractive western style. Minor marks, otherwise, good very fine.

The important Ionian port city of Smyrna fell into Seleukid hands in 281 BC following the defeat of Lysimachos. The magnificent portrait coins of Antiochos I from this city were likely struck after his victory in the famous Battle of the Elephants, in which the Seleukid ruler decisively defeated the Celtic invaders who had been ravaging Asia Minor for years. These invaders were subsequently settled in the region later named after them, Galatia. The exact date of the battle remains a topic of scholarly debate, with estimates placing it either in the mid-270s or early 260s BC