Two Bronze Coins of Alexander Balas Recently Discovered in Luristan (Iran)

Abstract

ABSTRACT In 2004 two Seleucid bronze coins of Alexander Balas were discovered during an archaeological excavation at Sorkh Dom-e Laki, Kouhdasht town, Luristan. Between 2001 and 2004, an expedition of the Iranian Centre for Archaeological Research (ICAR) excavated at Sorkh Dom-e Laki for five seasons, directed by Arman Shishehgar. Excavations mainly brought to the light remains of structures dating to the Iron Age II and III. Finds included two Seleucid bronze coins of Alexander Balas 1 minted at Ecbatana. The discovery of these issues for the first time in a documented archaeological context c.300 km from the presumed mint of origin represents a new addition to our knowledge concerning coin circulation during the Seleucid period in western Iran. This paper presents these two unpublished bronze specimens.