Yay, I believe I just crossed a milestone. I finally have a coin of someone who the Bible refered to directly and whose actions were documented extensively in the Bible...Demetrius I Soter, Basileus of the Celeucid kingdom. I think this one is definitely up @Deacon Ray 's alley. Demetrius I Soter AR drachm (minted circa 152-151 BCE) Apparently he was a real biblical villain. I'll let the Bible describe his transgressions: 1 Maccabees, Chapter 1, Verses 10 through 15 [10]From them came forth a sinful root, Antiochus Epiphanes, son of Antiochus the king; he had been a hostage in Rome. He began to reign in the one hundred and thirty-seventh year of the kingdom of the Greeks. [11]In those days lawless men came forth from Israel, and misled many, saying, "Let us go and make a covenant with the Gentiles round about us, for since we separated from them many evils have come upon us." [12] This proposal pleased them, [13] and some of the people eagerly went to the king. He authorized them to observe the ordinances of the Gentiles. [14] So they built a gymnasium in Jerusalem, according to Gentile custom, [15] and removed the marks of circumcision, and abandoned the holy covenant. They joined with the Gentiles and sold themselves to do evil. Letting your followers build a Greek style gymnasium (picture naked uncircumcised Greek men) in the heart of the Holy City and recruiting Jewish youth to the ways of the Greeks was definitely not a way to endear yourself in the heart of your Jewish allies/neighbors. Bad move for Demetrius I But then things got worse, he pillaged the Sacred Temple and stole some of the most sacred objects of the ancient Jewish faith. 1 Maccabees, Chapter 1, Verses 21 through 28 [21] He arrogantly entered the sanctuary and took the golden altar, the lampstand for the light, and all its utensils. [22] He took also the table for the bread of the Presence, the cups for drink offerings, the bowls, the golden censers, the curtain, the crowns, and the gold decoration on the front of the temple; he stripped it all off. [23] He took the silver and the gold, and the costly vessels; he took also the hidden treasures which he found. [24] Taking them all, he departed to his own land. He committed deeds of murder, and spoke with great arrogance. [25] Israel mourned deeply in every community, [26] rulers and elders groaned, maidens and young men became faint, the beauty of women faded. [27] Every bridegroom took up the lament; she who sat in the bridal chamber was mourning. [28] Even the land shook for its inhabitants, and all the house of Jacob was clothed with shame. So yeah, he really ticked off Israel and the Jewish people eventually killed him for it...but at least he is now immortal thanks to the Bible's description of his wikedness. And the man had some cool coinage too.
Sweet coin man nice write up too. I still need to get a silver of this guy but this one will do for now
I suppose this might be as good a coin as any to wrap up my 2016. She is definitely a good one to close the year with on a high note.
Lawyer, congrats on the great OP-score (very nice addition) I have an AE example from this fella ... Demetrios I Serratus AE17 162 - 150 BC Diameter: 16.5mm Weight: 4.41 grams Obverse: Horse Reverse: Elephant Reference: SNG Spaer 1299 Other: AEF/EF NOTE => this is Demetrios I (Seleukid King) which is different from Demetrios I (Bactrian King) ... oh, and I also have an example from the other dude with the same name, but from a different time and place ... wanna see? Demetrius I Trichalkon 200-185 BC Diameter: 29.5 mm Weight: 12.61 grams Bactrian Kings, Demetrius I, bronze Attic trichalkon of: Obverse: Head of elephant with bell hanging from neck Reverse: Caduceus. Reference: Bopearachchi-16, Mitchiner-1086, SNG ANS 209
I love Seleucid coins, and that one has a great portrait and a pleasing overall look. The biblical history is just icing on the cake, and well presented. Thanks. I like everything posted here so far, but @stevex6's little AE serratus is my second favorite, I think. I haven't owned any of those yet, but affectionately refer to them as "bottle caps".
Yep. Another "bottle cap". I do like the patina like yours has. That's the first thing that made me a fan of Seleucid coins. They so often come with great "desert" patina.
Cool coin, @Sallent, but I'm confused about the person and the history you copied. The coin is Demetrius I Soter and the history from the cited Maccabbees passages is of Antiochus IV Epiphanes, or have I misunderstood?
Here is Demetrius I's mom! Laodike IV, wife and sister of both Seleucus IV and Antiochus IV. Selucia in Pieria, 175-164 BC AE 3.33 gm; 15 mm Obv: Veiled bust of Laodike IV, r. Rev: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΝΤΙΟΧΟΥ (of King Antiochus), elephant head l.; prow. Refs: Ex-Houghton, plate coin of Coins of the Seleucid Empire; Forrer 183
Soter = savior. Seleucid Kingdom, Demetrios I Soter, 162-150 BC AR tetradrachm, 16g, 32mm; Antioch mint, 162-155 BC Obv.: Diademed head of Demetrios I right within wreath. Rev.: Tyche, holding scepter and cornucopia, seated left on throne supported by tritonesses right, monogram to outer left. In two vertical lines, BAΣIΛEΩΣ ΔHMHTPIOY (King Demetrios).
Love the silver @Sallent Terrific posts everyone!! Another example of a 'bottle cap' type of Seleukos IV, 187-175 BC:
Not to take anything away from the coin, but the first passage you quote names the villain as Antiochus IV, who was Demetrios's uncle. I remember being amused when I read about him calling himself Epiphanes ("the godly") while behind his back his subjects called him Epimanes ("the crazy"). Edit: oops, I see TIF already pointed this out!
To make a story short, I quoted the wrong section and the wrong King. It was late, I was tired, and I messed up. However, Demetrius I was indeed a villain in the Bible, but for killing the leader of the Jewish state in battle and then for various other transgressions, and was then killed after the Jewish forces allied with a usurper. However, his story is further up in Chapter 10, not Chapter 1...oops! It is thrilling though, and includes some epic battle scene descriptions and all.
Great choice for a first coin of the dynasty! Here is mine from the same year. Demetrios I Year 161, 152 BC Mint: Antioch AR Drachm Obvs: Head of Demetrios right diademed within fillet border. Revs: BAΣΙΛEΩΣ ΔHMHTPIOY ΣΩTHPOΣ, Cornucopia. A Å AΞP monogram below 17mm, 4.1g
i have this coin of the fellow....sorry for the pictures. i'll reshoot in 2017. (new years resolution).