Æ (9mm, 1.35g, 11h)
c. 4th century BCE
Head of Artemis r., wearing stephanos. R/ Monogram (or torque) within grain-wreath.
SNG Copenhagen 503-4
For some reason, Zeleia was twice associated with the biggest losers of history. In the ancient ancient times, they supported Troy, both with troops and with emotional support.
Much later, it was the headquarters for the Persians before the Battle of the Granicus. The battle location itself, now known as the Biga River, has been more or less determined. This fight of course was Alexander‘s first huge victory over Darius III and resulted in the capitulation of most of the western Persian empire to the Macedonians.
Since they typically didn’t mint coins for rivers, this is the closest coin to representing the Battle of the Granicus and it may have been used by a soldier to purchase donuts before the conflict.
Nikagoras of Zeleia(?)
4th century BCE
Æ 12mm, 1.65 gm, 5h
Obv: Head of Artemis (Hermes?) left, wearing stephane decorated with pellets.
Rev: Z-Ε/Λ-Ε, stag standing left.
BMC__; SNG Copenhagen__;SNG France__; SNG Ashmolean__
Unrecorded in the major references with bust and stag left
The Persian satraps hold council at Zeleia before the Battle of the Granicus.