AR Tetradrachm (16.93 g). Ai-Khanoum mint.

Diademed head right

ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ [ANT-IOΧΟΥ], nude Apollo seated left on Omphalos, holding arrow in right hand, left hand resting on bow; ΜΗΝΟΣΞΑ right, ΕΤΕΙΣ above, D in circle above knee.

Cf. SC 437; SNG Spaer -; Newell, ESM 696 var.; McClean pl. 336, 2 (same obverse die); Houghton, CSE -.

Nice VF. Extremely rare.

In 294/3 BC, Antiochos I became co-regent with Seleukos I, and at this time was appointed governor of the eastern provinces of the Seleukid empire. Circa 285/280 BC, Antiochos I may have been involved in the foundation of a Seleukid colony at Aï Khanoum and the establishment of a royal mint in this city. Both of these dates, as proposed by Brian Kritt in his two recent works, Seleucid Coins of Bactria and The Early Seleucid Mint of Susa, are not without controversey. This issue of coinage, obviously struck at the mint of Aï Khanoum as evidenced by the mintmark above Apollo's knee, is dated and could shed light on the foundation date of the mint. On the right side of the coin is the word MHNOS , meaning 'month', and the letters XA , short for XANDIKOU , or 'March'. Above Apollo's head is the word ETEIS meaning 'years' but unfortunately the number is not visible that would indicate the year. The presence of the the month name is unique as no other Seleukid issues are known dated as such, though month-indications do appear on some Parthian issues. Hopefully a specimen will turn up that shows the year, shedding light upon an uncertain period in Seleukid history. A fascinating coin.

It is interesting to note that other specimens of this same issue may exist. Newell records 4 known examples of ESM 696, all of which are struck off-center, towards 12:00 and 3:00, in such a manner that the month and year-indications are off the flan.