Early Seleucid Tetradrachm

Historical context — Seleucid Persia

After Alexander's death, Seleucus I and successors struck Hellenistic tetradrachms across Persian mints — Susa, Ecbatana, Persepolis, Seleucia-on-the-Tigris.

Frequently asked

What is the Early Seleucid Tetradrachm?

Anchor symbol referenced the Seleucid dynasty's founding legend. It was struck in 281–261 BCE at Magnesia on the Maeander under Antiochos I Soter (Seleucid).

What metal and weight is it?

Silver, weighing approximately ~17 g.

What designs appear on it?

Obverse: Diademed bust of the king. Reverse: Apollo seated on omphalos; anchor monogram.

Related pieces

Silver

Antiochus III "the Great" Tetradrachm

Antiochus III

222–187 BCE

Struck in massive quantities to fund eastern campaigns.

Silver

Greco-Bactrian Tetradrachm of Diodotus I

Diodotus I (Greco-Bactrian)

c. 250 BCE

Diodotus broke from the Seleucids to found the Greco-Bactrian kingdom — Hellenistic coinage striking deep into eastern Iran.

Silver

Antiochus IV Epiphanes Tetradrachm

Antiochus IV Epiphanes

175–164 BCE

The most ambitious Seleucid king after Antiochus III — his eastern campaigns took him deep into Iran where he died in 164 BCE near Tabae in Persis. His coinage is the high-water mark of Seleucid royal portraiture.

Silver

Antiochus VII Sidetes Drachm — Ecbatana

Antiochus VII Sidetes

138–129 BCE

Last Seleucid push east — Antiochus VII briefly recaptured Media from the Parthians in 130 BCE before dying in battle at Ecbatana, ending Seleucid presence on the Iranian plateau.

Silver

Greco-Bactrian Tetradrachm of Euthydemus I

Euthydemus I

c. 230–200 BCE

Withstood a three-year siege by Antiochus III at Bactra. His coinage is the high-water mark of Greco-Bactrian portrait engraving. Image: related Diodotid Bactrian tetradrachm.

Silver

Mithradates I Tetradrachm

Mithradates I

171–138 BCE

First king to title himself 'Great King'.