Seleukeia on the Hedyphon
dated SE 233 = 80/79 BCE
AR Tetradrachm 15.89g, 27mm, 12h
Conjoined busts of Kamnaskires and Queen Anzaze to left; Seleukid anchor terminating in monogram behind
Zeus seated to left, holding sceptre and Nike, who crowns him; IΛCIΛEΩ[C] [KΛ]MNΛCKIIOY […]IΛCIΛHHIH ANZAZH around, [MAK]EΔ[ΩN] to inner left, ГΛΣ (sic, date) in exergue.
Van’t Haaff Type 7.1.1-1-2 (date unlisted); Alram 454 (date unlisted); Roma E-103, 597 (same dies); Sunrise -; DCA 518.
Little is known about the Kingdom of Elymais. Its coins are common, but that’s mostly all we know about it. There are a few inscriptions that hint at the history, and we believe it gained and lost it sovereignty against the Seleukid and then Parthian empires.
At the time, it was highly unusual for a queen to be depicted on a coin with her husband. However, from at least my research it appears that we know next to nothing about Anzaze. Was she influential at court, or was Kamnaskires completely enamored with her? We don’t seem to know. What I also find intriguing is the mix of Hellenistic and Persian imagery. The reverse is almost straight out of a Hellenistic coin (the stringy Nike being the most blatant difference), but the obverse is closer to the Persian theme – though different in its own way.
To me, that’s part of the intrigue of these coins. They’re certainly not rare, but they’re practically the only windows we have into an otherwise unknown country.