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📖 Item Description

Ancient Greek Bronze Coin — Seleucid Kingdom

Ruler: King Seleukos III Keraunos (Thunderbolt)
Reign: 225–223 BC (Short 3-year reign)
Mint: Antioch on the Orontes
Denomination: AE Bronze Unit (Chalkon)

📜 Key Specifications

Weight: 3.49 grams (A strong, hefty weight for this issue)
Diameter: 13.1 mm – 15.6 mm
Material: Bronze (AE)

🎨 Iconography & Design

Obverse: Draped bust of the goddess Artemis right.
Reverse: Apollo seated left on the omphalos (sacred navel stone), testing an arrow and resting his hand on a grounded bow. Greek Legend: BAΣIΛEΩΣ ΣEΛEYKOY (Of King Seleukos).

🔍 Historical Significance

Seleukos III inherited a deeply fractured empire and ruled for a turbulent three years before being assassinated by his own officers while on a military campaign in Anatolia. Coins from his short reign are highly collectible. The inclusion of the divine twins Artemis and Apollo highlights the Seleucid dynasty's claim of direct lineage from Apollo.

📊 Estimated Value Breakdown (Google AI search)

Low Grade (Fair to Fine): $15 – $35 USD. The coin will show heavy wear, a soft or mostly obscured portrait of Artemis, and partial legends on the reverse.
Mid Grade (Very Fine): $40 – $85 USD. Features are distinct. Artemis’s quiver and Apollo’s bow or arrow are clearly visible, with a stable, attractive green or brown patina.
High Grade (Choice VF to Extremely Fine): $90 – $160+ USD. Exceptional crispness, full inscriptions (BAΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΣΕΛΕΥΚΟΥ), perfectly centered strike, and zero active bronze disease. Premium retail dealers selling with lifetime guarantees often list these specimens in the $70 – $150 range.

Shipping

Shipped securely in a protective flip with tracking.
Combined shipping available for multiple purchases.

I will be moving to Greece in a few years; I cannot take my ancient coin collection with me. So, I will be selling many ancient coins over the next few years. I have been a huge collector since the early 90s.

I am no numismatic, I am a collector, I do not grade anything. "What you see is what you are bidding on". Everything is true and authentic to the best of my knowledge. If you are not happy, money back guarantee and free shipping as long as all items return in same condition shipped.

All coins shipped in vinyl (PVC free) 2x2 protective holders or 2x2 cardboard flip. I will add new items every Thursday.

Wishing you all the very best, John

Thank you for viewing, and happy bidding!