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

246 NUMISMATIC CHRONICLE.come here? Babelon considers the earliest example tobe on a tetradrachm of Alexander Bala, 163 A.S., 149 B.C.Here is a much earlier instance of the use, if thisreading is correct. If it is not a lunar C, what is it ? Iam confirmed in my opinion that it is a lunar C by thefact that Mr. GL F. Hill, in his Handbook of Greek andRoman Coins, p. 213, quotes from Imhoof-Blumer,Monn. Gr., p. 427, an even earlier example in the moneyof Seleucus II. The obvious Eastern fabric of thistetradrachm makes the use of the lunar C more remarkable.We are here in the beginning of a change inepigraphy. It can hardly resolve itself into a date.The treatment of the Apollo is equally interesting.Itis exceptional and noteworthy; thoughit should benoticed that in the Seleucid series, especiallyin those ofEastern or barbarous fabric, there is a tendency ofaccommodation, and a bearded Apollo, if indeed it isbearded, might be a concession to popular Parthianopinion. Of. the reverse of the drachm of Antiochus IV[PL X. 4].The provenance of this tetradrachm was, I think,Persia.11. Obv. Diademed head to r. Border of dots.Rev. Apollo seated on omphalos, as usual. Border ofdots. In field 1. the monogram -p. Actuallyupon the omphalos the letter A. BAZIAEQZ(r.) ; ANTIOXOY (1.). [Of barbarous fabric.]M. 0-8. Drachm. Wt. 65-5 grs.[PL IX. 13.]The interesting feature of this drachm is the presenceof the usual Parthian mark A. I have seen a tetradrachmwith the same mark. The provenance of such coinswould be of invaluable assistance in determining the