Seleukos I Nicator AR Tetradrachm, Seleucia on the Tigris, 300–295 BC

Seleukos I Nicator, Tetradrachm, Silver, reign 305–281 BC, struck 300–295 BC, Seleucia on the Tigris mint, 17.10 g, 26.5 mm. Obv: Anepigraphic; beardless head of Heracles right wearing lion-skin headdress; dotted border. Rev: ΣΕΛΕΥΚΟΥ BAΣΙΛΕΩΣ; Zeus Aëtophoros seated left on high-backed throne, holding eagle on outstretched right hand and long sceptre in left; monogram in wreath in left field; K below throne; dotted border. Broad flan with good centering; reverse shows linear flan fissures across the lower field and light die wear; legends complete; die axis 12 h. Reference: SC 117.2b (Seleucia on the Tigris).

Following his assumption of the royal title in 305 BC, Seleukos I continued the widely accepted Alexander-type tetradrachm but replaced Alexander’s name with his own, establishing an imperial currency for the newly formed Seleucid Empire. Struck at the recently founded capital Seleucia on the Tigris, these issues financed garrisons and administration in Babylonia while asserting royal authority; their familiar Heracles/Zeus iconography eased circulation across former Macedonian territories.