Seleukid Kings, Seleukos VI with head of Ant. VIII

AR Tetradrachm, 15.13g. 28.5mm. c.96-94 B.C. Seleukia ad Kalykadnum mint. Diademed head of King to right. Rev. Athena standing to left holding spear, shield, and wreath bearing nike. There is an uncertain plant to the left which E. Levante has suggested may be reeds that grow on the banks of the Calycadnus river(see: Houghton, Kraay/Morkholm Essays, p. 81). SC II, 2404.9. SNG Spaer 2782, but obverse die of 2779. Toned and with some light crystallization. Rare

The portrait is that of Antiochos VIII with his distinctive curly hair arrangement and long nose. The die was probably re-used from a Cilician issue of Antiochos VIII. There is not an extant die match with an Antiochos VIII issue, but the portrait style is clear. See: Houghton: SC II, p. 556.

Provenance/Pedigrees

Ex: NAC, Zurich, Auction 54, March 24, 2010, lot 136.

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Extremely Fine $2,750.

Baktria, Zoilos, c.130-120 B.C. ex: F. Sternberg

AR Drachm, 2.43g. 17mm. Diademed, draped, and cuirassed bust of Zoilos to right.  Rev.  Herakles standing and facing wearing wreath; he holds wreath in his right hand and club draped with lion's skin in his left hand.  Mitchiner 256b. SNG ANS 968.  Spectacular portrait; fine old toning with underlying flashes of luster.  

Provenance/Pedigrees:
Ex: Frank Sternberg personal drachm collection of 50 portrait drachms, Frank Sternberg, Zurich, Auction XXVII, 1994, lot 38.
Ex: Collection of Pierre Strauss.
Ex: Tkalec, Zurich, Auction, Feb. 29, 2000, lot 206.

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Extremely Fine $3,850.

Kyrenaika, Kyrene

AR Drachm, 3.12g. 15.5mm.  c.470-440 B.C.   Silphium plant.  Rev. Zeus Ammon within dotted circle.   BMC 49-50 and pl. VI,14.  SNG COP 1177.  Boston 1313. Some light roughness.  Rare, well struck, and toned.

Provenance/Pedigree:
Ex: Glendining, London, Auction December 13, 1963, lot 368.
Ex: Peus, Frankfurt, Auction 380, 2004, lot 659.

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Very Fine/good Very Fine $4,500.

Kings of Numidia, Juba I, c.60-46 B.C.

AR Drachm, 3.99g. 20 mm. Diademed, draped, and cuirassed bust of Juba to right; scepter over shoulder.  Rev. Punic legend. Octastyle temple.  Mazard 84.  SNG COP 523; some minor green encrustation.   Attractive toning and with the portrait struck in unusually high relief. 

Provenance/Pedigree:
Ex: Proschowsky collection, Rasmussen, Copenhagen, Auction 245, 1970, lot 937
Ex: Frank Sternberg, Zurich, Auction XXI, 1988, lot 204.

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about Extremely Fine $1,200.