Coins of the Seleucid Empire from the collection of Arthur Houghton

129 Pages·2007·26.807 MB·English

by  Oliver D. Hoover , Oliver Hoover

COINS OF THE
SELEUCID EMPIRE
from the Coll ction of Arthur Houghton
hv ()liver l ). Hoover

ANCIENT COINS IN NORTH AMERICAN COLLECTIONS
No. 9
COINS OF THE SELEUCID EMPIRE
FROM THE COLLECTION OF
ARTHUR HOUGHTON
II
PART
By
D.
OLIVER HOOVER
ANCIENT COINS IN NORTH AMERICAN COLLECTIONS
PUBLISHED BY
THE AMERICAN NUMISMATIC SOCIETY
NEW YORK 2007
FORALPINA
© 2007 The American Numismatic Society
szne qua non
ISSN 0271-4019
ISBN-13: 978-0-89722-299-0
ISBN-10: 0-89722-299-7
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Hoover, Oliver D. (Oliver David), 1972-
Coins of the Seleucid Empire from the collection of Arthur Houghton. Part II/ by Oliver D. Hoover.
p. cm. -- (Ancient coins in North American collections, ISSN 0029-6031 ; no. 9)
Includes bibliographic references and index.
ISBN-13: 978-0-89722-299-0 (hardcover: alk. paper)
ISBN-10: 0-89722-299-7 (hardcover: alk. paper)
l. Coins, Greek--Middle East--Private collections--United States--Catalogs. 2. Houghton, Arthur, 1940-
--Coin collections--Catalogs. 3. Seleucids. I. Title.
CJ699.H65 2007
737.4938--dc22
2006039302
The American Numismatic Society
96 Fulton Street
New York, NY
10038
Printed in China
CONTENTS
PREFACE IX
LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS xi
CATALOGUE
Seleucus I Nicator Nos. 1-102
Antiochus I Soter 103-138
Antiochus II Theos 139-163
Seleucus II Callinicus 164-209
Antiochus Hierax 210-218
Seleucus III Soter 219-223
Achaeus 224
Antiochus III the Great 225-283
Seleucus IV Philopator 284-301
Antiochus, the Son of Seleucus IV 302
Antiochus IV Epiphanes 303-385
Antiochus V Eupator 386-388
Ti march us 389
Demetrius I Soter 390-434
Commagenean Drachms in the Name of Demetrius I 435-442
Alexander I Balas 443-485
Interregnum of 146/5 BC 486
Demetrius II Nicator (First Reign) 487-547
Antiochus VI Dionysus 548-562
Tryphon 563-568
Antiochus VII Sidetes 569-642
Cappadocian Tetradrachms in the Name of Antiochus VII 643-657
Demetrius II Nicator (Second Reign) 658-689
Young Antiochus Epiphanes 690
Alexander II Zabinas 691-712
Cleopatra Thea and Antiochus VIII Grypus 713-717
Antiochus VIII Grypus 718-757
Antiochus IX Cyzicenus 758-783
Seleucus VI Epiphanes 784-792
Antiochus X Eusebes 793-795
Demetrius III Eucaerus 796-806
Philip I Philadelphus 807-815
Antiochus XII Dionysus 816-823
Cleopatra Selene and Antiochus XIII Philometor 824
Vlll CONTENTS
Antioch Tetradrachms in the Name of Philip I 825-829 PREFACE
Foreign Silver Coins Countermarked by Seleucid Authorities 830-836
Non-Seleucid Coins and Other Objects 837-849
Seleucid Lead Objects 850-853 In 1983, the American Numismatic Society published Arthur Houghton's Coins of the Seleucid Empire
Silver Plated Coins with Seleucid Types 854-906 (hereafter CSE 1) as the fourth volume in its Ancient Coins in North American Collections series. The col
lection catalogued between its covers was an excellent representative sample of the coinage struck under
INDICES the Seleucid kings throughout their empire from its foundation in 312 BC to its dissolution in 64 BC. Be
cause of its broad scope, the inclusion of material from all of the major and many of the minor mints, and
PLATES numismatic commentary, CSE l quickly became an indispensable volume for scholars and collectors. Ed
ward T. Newell, the American exponent of modern Seleucid numismatic study, would have approved, since
his major works on the eastern and western Seleucid m.ints up to the time of Antiochus Ill, and the m.int of
Antioch, were sim.ilarly aimed at painting the broad picture of Seleucid coinage production. However, his
I ife was cut short before he could bring his dream to full fruition.
One of the wonderful things about Seleucid numismatics is that new material is discovered on an almost
weekly basis. Hence, in the twenty-three years that have elapsed since the publication of CSE 1, a moun
tain of new varieties of known series, as well as previously unknown issues has accumulated. Likewise,
over two decades of further study has led to new attributions and historical conclusions about known coins.
As part of his attempt to realize Newell's dream of a comprehensive catalogue of Seleucid coinage in the
form of Seleucid Coins, Pa1ts 1 and 2 (hereafter SC 1 and 2), Houghton formed a second collection largely
dedicated to this material in the years after the publication of CSE 1. Because the primary focus of this
collection was on new issues and new varieties, the coins in the present volume do not so much serve as a
representative sampling of the coinage for each ruler and mint, but rather as a supplement to the material
in CSE 1.
For the most part, readers will not find many examples of coins already recorded in CSE 1, although
some have been listed because of their superlative state of preservation or some special feature of interest.
Instead, the catalogue has in large part been given over to the new and sometimes unusual issues that have
been discovered since 1983. These include, but are by no means limited to, the silver of Seleucus I's first
tenure as Satrap of Babylon, the posthumous tetradrachms of Antiochus VII produced in Cappadocia, and
a rare bronze of the joint reign of Cleopatra Selene and Antiochus XIII.
The extensive collection of regular and imitative Seleucid coinage is supplemented by what is probably
the world's largest assemblage of Seleucid fourees, as well as a group of Seleucid-related lead objects. The
catalogue also describes several issues that are no longer believed to have been struck under the direct au
thority of the Seleucid kings.
In CSE 1 the numismatic material was organized by region and m.int in a modified version of Newell's
arrangement in Eastern Seleucid Mints and Western Seleucid Mints. While this sort of organization m.ight
have proven useful for those already intimately fam.iliar with the Seleucid series and able to recognize
mints through control marks and variations in fabric and artistic style, it was not especially helpful for
those who were new to the fascinating and seemingly ever expanding world of Seleucid numismatics. In
an effort to make Coins of the Seleucid Empire, Part II (hereafter CSE 2) more user-friendly, the coins are
now arranged by ruler first and then by mint using the same format as that found in SC. All of the coins in
CSE 2 are referenced to SC, the new standard reference for the coinages of the Seleucid Empire, as well as
to acquisition number, prefixed by the abbreviation AHNS (Arthur Houghton, New Series) used in earlier
publications.
X PREFACE XI
In the belief that epigraphy and letter forms remain a largely untapped resource for understanding the
ABBREVIATIONS
coinage of the Seleucid Empire, every attempt has been made to give the inscriptions in the catalogue text
as they appear on the coins. Likewise, as in SC 1, distinctive typological features (i.e., bearded portraits,
Antioche de Syrie G. Le Rider, 1999. Antioche de Syrie sous Les Seleucides. Corpus des monnaies
changes in divine attributes, etc.) have been flagged by the use of italics. d'or et d'argent I: de Seleucos I a Antiochos V, c. 300-161. Paris.
Although Hellenized rather than Latinized spellings for Greek names (i.e., "Seleukos" as opposed to
"Seleucus") increasingly tend to be the norm for academic works, the Latinized forms have been retained Babelon E. Babelon, 1890. Catalogue des monnaies grecques de la Bibliotheque
Nationale. Les rois de Syrie, d'Armenie et de Commagene. Paris.
here for the sake of consistency with CSE 1 as well as SC, both of which follow the Latinized orthography
preferred by Newell. Barag, Antiochus N D. Barag, 2000-2002. "The Mint of Antiochus IV in Jerusalem. Numismatic
Evidence on the Prelude to the Maccabean Revolt," INJ 14, pp. 59-77.
Each coin in this collection has been painstakingly photographed by Travis Markel using the facilities
and equipment of Classical Numismatic Group. The plate images bear clear testament to his considerable
Bellinger, End A. Bellinger, 1949. "The End of the Seleucids," Transactions of the Connecticut
photographic skills. I would like to thank him for his efforts to make the plates a pleasing visual experience Academy of Arts and Sciences 38, pp. 51-102.
for the reader.
13ijovsky, Demetrius I G. Bijovsky, 1994-1999. "A Coin of Demetrius I from Akko-Ptolemais," INJ 13,
Special thanks are due to Arthur Houghton for his faith in my ability to do justice to this wonderful col pp. 39-45.
lection, as well as to Ute Wartenberg Kagan, Executive Director of the American Numismatic Society, for
BMC Syria W. Wroth, 1899. Catalogue of the Greek Coins of Galatia, Cappadocia and
her unflagging support for this project. I also wish to thank Catharine Lorber, who designed most of the
Syria. London.
control fonts used throughout the catalogue and commented upon parts of the text, Wayne Moore for his
early review of the material, G. R. F. Assar for sharing information on cuneiform evidence, and Wolfgang Bopearachchi, Travaux Le Rider 0. Bopearachchi, 1999. "Les monnaies seleucides de I' Asie centrale et !'atelier
Fischer-Bossert, Petr Vesely, and Mi.i§erref Yetim for their keen proofing eyes. Any errors that may remain de Bactres," in M. Amandry and S. Hurter (eds.), 1999. Travaux de
numismatique grecque ojferts a Georges Le Rider. London. pp. 77-93.
are entirely my own.
I would also like to thank Daniel Geagan and Bruce Brace for first introducing me to the importance CH X 0. Hoover, A. Meadows, and U. Wartenberg Kagan (eds.), forthcoming. Coin
Hoards X: Seleucid Hoards. New York.
of numismatics as a historical discipline in an undergraduate seminar at McMaster University many years
ago. CSE 1 A. Houghton, 1983. Coins of the Seleucid Empire from the Collection of Arthur
Finally, I owe special thanks to my family, who have had to share my affections with a motley band of Houghton. ACNAC 4. New York.
dead eastern monarchs now for longer than I can remember: to my parents Jean and David Hoover, for their
Draganov, Sardes D. Draganov, 1993-94. "Four Seleucid Notes: 1. A New Bronze Issue of
unceasing love and support, and whose heirloom King James Bible filled my mind with the epic struggle Antiochus II of Sardes," AJN 5-6, pp. 43-46.
between the Hasmonaeans and the mighty Seleucid Empire from an early age, and especially to my wife
Duyrat, Arados F. Duyrat, 2005. Arados hellenistique. Etude historique et monetaire. BAH 173.
Alpina, whose patience, understanding, and love, have made this book, and all things, possible.
Beyrouth.
Burlington, Ontario Duyrat, Phenicie F. Duyrat, 2002. "Les ateliers monetaires de Phenicie du Nord a l'epoque
hellenistique," in C. Auge and F. Duyrat (eds.), Les Monnayages syriens.
December 2006
Beyrouth, pp. 21-69.
Ehling, Helms K. Ehling, 1997. "Uberlegungen zur Hernkunft und Bedeutung des Helms auf
den Miinzen Antiochos' VI. und Tryphons," JNG 47, pp. 21-27.
ESM E. T. Newell, 1938 (1978). The Coinage of the Eastern Seleucid Mints from
Seleucus I to Antiochus III. ANSNS l. New York.
Fischer-Bossert, Test-Piece W. Fischer-Bossert, 2002. "A Lead Test Piece of a Syracusan Tetradrachm by the
Engravers Euth ... and Eum. .. ," NC 163, pp. 1-9.
Hendin, Test Strike D. Hendin, 2006. "A Bronze Test Strike from the Bar Kokhba Revolt," Israel
Numismatic Research l, pp. 111-116.
Hoover, Aradian Bronze 0. Hoover, 2006. "A Second Look at the Aradian Bronze Coinage Attributed to
Seleucus I (SC 72-73)," AJN 18, pp. 43-50.
Xll ABBREVIATIONS As BREVIATIONS Xlll
Hoover, Gaza 0. Hoover, 2006. "A Late Hellenistic Lead Coinage from Gaza," Israel !Jyzantine Demetrias in South Phoenicia," in J. H. Humphrey (ed.). The Roman and
Numismatic Research I, pp. 25-36. Byzantine Near East: Some Recent Archaeological Research. JRA
Suppl. 14. Ann Arbor, pp. 9-14.
Hoover, Helmeted Head 0. Hoover, 2002. "The Helmeted Head on the 'Victory' Coinage of Susa," SNR
81, pp. 51-60. I.SM E.T. Newell, 1939. The Late Seleucid Mints in Ake-Ptolemais and Damascus.
ANSNNM 84. New York.
Hoover, Notes 0. Hoover, 1998. "Notes on Some Imitation Drachms of Demetrius I Soter from
Cornmagene," AJN 10, pp. 71-94. Moore, Nisibis W. Moore, 1986. "The Divine Couple of Demetrius II, Nicator, and his Coinage
at Nisibis," ANSMN 31, pp. 125-143.
Hoover, Revised Chronology 0. Hoover, forthcoming. "A Revised Chronology for the Late Seleucids at
Antioch, 121/0-64 BC" Historia. M0rkholm, Antiochia 0. M0rkholm, 1970. "The Seleucid Mint at Antiochia on the Persian Gulf,"
ANSMN 16, pp. 31-44.
Hoover, Seleucus VII 0. Hoover, 2005. "Dethroning Se!eucus VII Philometor (Cybiosactes):
Epigraphical Arguments Against a Late Seleucid Monarch," ZPE 151, M0rkholm, Classification 0. M0rkholm, 1969. "The Classification of Cappadocian Coins," NC, pp. 21-31.
pp. 95-99.
M0rkholm, Western 0. M0rkholm, 1965-1966. "Some Western Seleucid Coins," !NJ 3, pp. 8-14.
Houghton, Antioch and Tarsus A. Houghton, 1993. "The Reigns of Antiochus VIII and Antiochus IX at Antioch
and Tarsus," SNR 72, pp. 87-106. Rouvier, Gebal-Byblos J. Rouvier, 190 l. "Numismatique des villes de la Phenicie: Gebal-Byblos," JIAN 4,
pp. 35-66.
Houghton, Antiochus VII A. Houghton, 1986. "A Victory Coin and the Parthian Wars of Antiochus VII," in
Proceedings oft he 10'" International Numismatic Congress. London, p. 65. RPC I A. Burnett, M. Amandry, P. P. Ripolles, 1998. Roman Provincial Coinage. Vol. 1,
From the Death of Caesar to the Death of Vitellius (44 BC-AD 69).
Houghton, Countermarks A. Houghton, 1993-1994. "Four Seleucid Notes: 4. Countermarks of Tryphon: London.
Comments on the Circulation of Currency in Northern Syria ea. 150-140
B.C.," AJN 5-6, pp. 59-68. RRC M. Crawford, 1974. Roman Republican Coinage. Cambridge.
Houghton, Double A. Houghton, 1987. "The The Double Portrait Coins of Antiochus XI and Philip I: SC 1 A. Houghton and C. Lorber, 2002. Seleucid Coins. A Comprehensive Catalogue,
A Seleucid Mint at Beroea?" SNR 66, pp. 79-85. Part 1: Seleucus I through Antiochus Ill. New York and Lancaster.
Houghton, Essays Mildenberg A. Houghton, 1984. "The Seleucid Mint of Mall us and the Cult Figure of Athena SC2 A. Houghton, C. Lorber, and 0. Hoover, forthcoming. Seleucid Coins. A
Magarsia," in A. Houghton, S. Hurter, P. Erhru.t Mottahedeh and J. Ayer Comprehensive Catalogue, Part 2: Seleucus IV through Antiochus XIII.
Scott (eds.). Studies in Honor of Leo Mildenberg. Belgium, pp. 91-110. New York and Lancaster.
Houghton, Lead A. Houghton, 1990-1991. "Two Late Seleucid Lead Issues from the Levant," INJ 11, Seyrig, Eres H. Seyrig, 1950. "Antiquites syriennes. 42. Sur Jes ere§ de quelques villes
pp. 26-31. de Syrie: Antioche, Apamee, Arethuse, Balanee, Epiphanie, Laodicee,
Rhosos, Damas, Beryte, Tripolis, !'ere de Cleopatre, Chalcis du Liban,
Houghton, Notes A. Houghton, 1980. "Notes on the Early Seleucid Victory Coinage of Doliche," Syria 27, pp. 5-56.
'Persepolis'," SNR 59, pp. 5-14.
Seyrig, Nisibe H. Seyrig, 1955. "Tresor monetaire de Nisibe," RN, pp. 85-128.
Houghton, Samaria-Sebaste A. Houghton, 2000. "A Mint of Antiochus IX at Samaria-Sebaste?" AJN 12,
pp. 107-112. Seyrig, Notes H. Seyrig, 1950. Notes on Syrian Coins. ANSNNM 119. New York.
Houghton, Soli A. Houghton, 1989. "The Royal Seleucid Mint of Soli," NC 149, pp. 15-32. SNG Levante E. Levante, 1986. Sylloge Nummorum Graecorum: Switzerland I. Levante
Cilicia. Paris.
Houghton and Le Rider, A. Hougl)ton and G. Le Rider, 1988. "Un premier regne d'Antiochos VIII
Premier regne Epiphane a Antioche en 128," BCH 112.1, pp. 410-411. SNG Spaer A. Houghton and A. Spaer, 1998. Sylloge Nummorum Graecorum: Israel I. The
Arnold Spaer Collection of Seleucid Coins. Jerusalem.
Houghton and Lorber, A. Houghton and C. Lorber, 2006. "Cappadocian Tetradrachms in the Name of
Cappadocian Tetradrachms Antiochus VII," NC 166, pp. 49-89. SNG von Aulock G. Kleiner, 1957. Sylloge Nummorum Graecorum. Deutsch/and: Sammlung
Hans van Aulock 2: Caria, Lydia, Phrygia, Lycia, Pamphylia. Berlin.
IGCH M. Thompson, 0. M0rkholm, and C. Kraay (eds.), 1973. An Inventory of Greek
Coin Hoards. New York. SNG von Post C. Boehringer, 1995. Sylloge Nummorum Graecorum. Sweden 1.2: Sammlung
Eric van Post. Stockholm.
lossif and Lorber, Celestial P. Iossif and C. Lorber, fmthcoming. "Celestial Iconography on the Eastern
Coinage of Antiochus IV" Weil3 and Ehling, Marktgewichte P. WeiB and K. Ehling, 2006. "Marktgewichte im Namen seleukidischer Konige,"
Chiron 36, pp. 269-378.
Kushnir-Stein, Roman and A. Kushnir-Stein, 1995. "The Predecessor of Caesarea: On the Identification of
I
SELEUCUS NICATOR
312-281 BC
Although he did not receive his own province at the Settlement of Babylon in 323, in recognition for his
part in the murder of Perdiccas, Seleucus was given the prize satrapy of Babylonia in 320, which he ruled
until he was driven out by Antigonus the One-Eyed five years later. After a period acting as a Ptolemaic
naval commander, Seleucus raised a contingent of troops and reclaimed Babylonia for himself in June of
311. Antigonid forces continued to make attempts to dislodge him until 308, but with no success. In the
relative peace that followed in the west, Seleucus turned his small territory into an empire by conquering
the Upper Satrapies, coming to terms with the Indian ruler Chandragupta Maurya, and at last claiming the
royal title for himself in 305/4. As part of a coalition of kings, Seleucus played a key role in the destruction
of Antigonus at the battle of Ipsus in 301, thereby gaining additional possessions in eastern Anatolia and
Syria. From 301 to the late 280s most of Seleucus' energy was spent on consolidating his empire through
the foundation of numerous cities, including Seleucia on the Tigris and Antioch on the Orontes, and by
establishing Antiochus I as co-regent. With the exception of some issues of Babylon, Susa, and Ecbatana,
cities that were taken early in Seleucus' career, most of the coins in this catalogue date to this period of
consolidation.
In 282, Seleucus invaded the western Anatolian lands controlled by Lysimachus at the invitation of
disaffected segments of the populace. By February of 281, he had defeated and killed Lysimachus at
the battle of Corupedium. The Seleucid Empire now stretched from the Aegean coastline to the borders
of India. However, in September of the same year triumph turned into tragedy when Seleucus was
assassinated on the way to take possession of Lysimachus' European territories. He was succeeded by his
son and coregent, Antiochus I.
SARDES, 282-28 I BC Rev. BA above, bull head and neck three
quarters r.
Silver tetradrachm
2. 1' 1.09. SC 7b. (AHNS 265).
Obv. Head of young Heracles r. in lion skin
headdress, dotted border. UNATTRIBUTED DRACHM ISSUE, PROBABLY OF
Rev. H AEYKOY on r., BALIAE.0.L in ex., Zeus WESTERN ASIA MINOR, C. 28 I BC
enthroned I., holding Nike and sceptre,
dotted border. Silver drachm
1. 1' 17.04. Rev., m I. field, E; under Obv. Head of young Heracles r. in lion skin
throne, AL SC 3.3a. (AHNS 1013). headdress, dotted border.
Rev. HAEYKOY on r., BALIAE.0.I in ex., Zeus
Royal bronze coinage enthroned I., holding Nike and sceptre,
dotted border.
Denomination D or E
3. 1' 4.25. Rev., in I. field, F"'. SC Ad45.
Obv. Winged head of Medusa r., dotted border. (AHNS 1014).