★ Uncertain Mint Associated With Military Expedition ★

SELEUKID KINGS OF SYRIA. Antiochos I Soter, 281-261 BC. (Bronze, 17 mm, 5.44 g, 9 h), uncertain mint coining for Edessa and Anthemous. Head of Athena to right, wearing crested Corinthian helmet. Rev. ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΝΤΙΟΧΟΥ Trophy; to right, monogram of MT. HGC 9, 150 (R1). SC 361.3a. WSM -. Dark greenish-brown patina. Very fine.

From the Thomas Kirby Collection, USA.

The mint responsible for this issue is uncertain. The controls ΕΔΕ and ΑΝΘ on certain examples suggest a mint striking for both Edessa and Anthemous, a military colony between Edessa and the Euphrates. Finds are reported from northern Syrian to Judaea, which suggests they should be associated with a military expedition, perhaps when Antiochos I captured Damascus, or possibly even later, during the Fifth Syrian War, which would require a reattribution to Antiochos III.