Babylonia. Alexandrine Empire. Mazaeus, as Satrap, 331-328 BC. Gold Double-Daric (17.1g). Baaltars seated left, head facing, scepter in l. hand, eagle, wheat stalk and bunch of grapes in r. hand.
Reverse: Lion left, attacking bull left; all within linear square. Treasures of Ancient Bactria (Miho Museum 2002) 44a. For equivalent silver issues of Cilicia, cf. Sunrise Achaemenid Satrapal coinage 63-65.
NGC VF; Strike: 4/5, Surface: 4/5 die shift. Very Rare.
Estimated Value $17,000 - UP
This unusually large gold piece fits into the transition period between Alexander the Great's conquest and consolidation of his eastern empire. He employed many of the same regional rulers, called satraps, who severed the Persian King Darius II. Similar to the uninscribed coins of Mazaeus, other Babylonian coins were struck including double-darics featuring the common theme of the Persian King running and archer motif.
Ancient Coins
