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1 Obol Antiochos imitation, Samarqand, regular bust
| Issuer | Samarqand (ancient) |
|---|---|
| Year | 201 BC - 101 AD |
| Type | Log in to see details |
| Value | Obol (⅙) |
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| Composition | Log in to see details |
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| Diameter | Log in to see details |
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| Obverse description | Log in to see details |
|---|---|
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| Reverse description | Bridled horse's head in right profile, depicted with vigorous, naturalistic modeling characteristic of Central Asian coinage derived from Seleucid prototypes. The bridle is clearly articulated, with the cheekpiece and noseband rendered in relief. The neck curves gracefully downward into the lower field, and the mane is suggested by incised lines along the crest. The composition fills the flan effectively, with the horse's muzzle approaching the right rim. |
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| Mintage | ND (201 BC - 101 AD) |
| Additional information |
The obol imitations produced in Sogdiana during this broad window copy Seleucid prototypes — most likely issues of Antiochos I or III — but were struck by local authorities who had absorbed Greek monetary conventions without direct Greek political control. Samarqand sat at the intersection of trade routes connecting the steppe world with Bactria and the Iranian plateau, and these small silvers almost certainly functioned in market exchange rather than tribute or taxation. The "regular bust" designation distinguishes this type from the more stylistically degenerate local variants, suggesting it was struck relatively early in the imitative sequence before the prototype drifted beyond recognition.