Lot 247: Seleukid Kingdom. Antiochos III Megas. 223-187 B.C. Æ. Imitating an uncertain military mint in Koile-Syria, associated with the Fifth Syrian War, ca. 202 B.C. or later.

Seleukid Kingdom. Antiochos III Megas. 223-187 B.C. Æ (19 mm, 7.84 g, 11 h). Imitating an uncertain military mint in Koile-Syria, associated with the Fifth Syrian War, ca. 202 B.C. or later. Diademed (or laureate?) head of Antiochos III, as Apollo, right / ΒΑΣΙ ΑИΤΙΧΟΥ (sic), elephant, with mahout, standing right; behind, tripod; c/m: uncertain (probably a Seleukid anchor); below, horse's head right. Cf. SC 1085; cf. HGC 9, 469. Very crude style and a highly interesting piece. Green patina with light earthen deposits, shallow flan crack on the obverse noted. Fine / very fine.

The elephant bronzes with mahout of Antiochos III were struck at different times and at different parts the Seleukid Empire, but all were associated with military operations and soldiers' pay. The earlier types were struck at a military mint associated with Ekbatana around 210 B.C., and the later ones come from a military mint operating of Koile-Syria during the Fifth Syrian War. The horse's head below the elephant indicates this copies the later issues of Koile-Syria, and it combines a charmingly crude head of Antiochos III as Apollo on the obverse with a partial and blundered legend on the reverse.

• Offered By: Barry P. Murphy
• Lot #: 247
• Listing #: 219866
• Closed: Friday, June 30, 2017 4:22:00 PM CT
• Estimate: $75