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Tetradrachm - Babylon
| Issuer | Seleucid Empire |
|---|---|
| Year | 311 BC - 280 BC |
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| Composition | Log in to see details |
| Weight | 16.5 g |
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| Obverse description | Log in to see details |
|---|---|
| Obverse script | Greek |
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| Reverse description | A lion walking to the right, depicted in a naturalistic Hellenistic style with a horned symbol or anchor above its back — an emblem closely associated with the Seleucid dynasty. Below the lion, in the exergue, appears a monogram. The legend ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΣΕΛΕΥΚΟΥ is inscribed in the field, identifying the issuing authority as King Seleucus. The entire design is enclosed within a dotted border. |
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| Additional information |
This issue belongs to the foundational coinage of Seleucus I Nicator, struck at Babylon following his reconquest of the city from Antigonus in 312 BC — the event from which the Seleucid Era itself is dated. The Babylon mint was among the first Seleucus controlled, and its output during this period was substantial, financing military campaigns that would eventually extend his domain from Syria to the borders of India.
The weight standard follows the Attic system Alexander had imposed across his conquests, a deliberate continuity that eased commerce across territories still adjusting to post-Macedonian administration. Seleucus struck in his own name only after 305 BC, when he formally assumed the title of king.