30.07.2015 Views

The numismatic chronicle and journal of the Royal ... - IndianCoins.org

The numismatic chronicle and journal of the Royal ... - IndianCoins.org

The numismatic chronicle and journal of the Royal ... - IndianCoins.org

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.

GREEK COINS ACQUIRED BY BRITISH MUSEUM. 19Rev. A[l]rE|AlfliN in field 1. Nike advancing1., carrying wreath in r., palm in 1. Border<strong>of</strong> dots.M. \ 17-5 mm. Wt. 44-6 grains (2-89 grammes).[PI. II. 15.]This is one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> puzzling group <strong>of</strong> coins withportrait heads discussed by Imho<strong>of</strong>-Blumer.35 TaylorCombe had already recognized <strong>the</strong> head on one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>group as Alex<strong>and</strong>er Balas. Imho<strong>of</strong>-Blumer rejectsthis identification, <strong>and</strong> makes out a strong case fordating all <strong>the</strong>se portrait coins, <strong>and</strong> o<strong>the</strong>rs connectedwith <strong>the</strong>m by various details, long after Seleucidtimes. He thinks that <strong>the</strong> head is intended alwaysfor <strong>the</strong> same person, <strong>and</strong> that a heroized king, possiblyAlex<strong>and</strong>er <strong>the</strong> Great. He misses in all <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>m <strong>the</strong>chin <strong>of</strong> Alex<strong>and</strong>er Balas. <strong>The</strong>characteristic longpresent coin, however, seems to me to show preciselythat characteristic ;<strong>and</strong> all <strong>the</strong> heads seem to havea Seleucid character, whereas in none <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>m canI observe any <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> characteristics <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> well-knowntype <strong>of</strong> Alex<strong>and</strong>er <strong>the</strong> Great. If <strong>the</strong>n <strong>the</strong> headsrepresent heroized kings, I would suggest that <strong>the</strong>yare some member or members <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Seleucid dynasty.That coins with <strong>the</strong> portrait <strong>of</strong> Antiochus IV werestruck at Aegeae in that king's time has been shown36by Imho<strong>of</strong>-Blumer himself. It is quite possible thatAlex<strong>and</strong>er Balas also bestowed some special favourson Aegeae. Possibly some connexion <strong>of</strong> this kingwith Cilicia is indicated by <strong>the</strong> fact that <strong>the</strong> A<strong>the</strong>na-Nikephoros type, which first occurs on Seleucid tetradrachms<strong>and</strong> bronze in his reign, is exactly <strong>the</strong>37same35 Kleinas. Munzen, ii, pp. 424 if. 36 Mid., PI. xvi. 7.37 See Babelon, Rois de Syrie, p. cxxviii, <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong> rare tetradrachm,B. M. C. : Seleucid Kings, PL xv. 5. <strong>The</strong> bronze is common.

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!