New acquisition: Another ancient hero tetradrachm

Another new coin arrived today and it is a tetradrachm from another ancient hero of the Hellenistic era. I am not going to say again that this guy's life should become a movie, because it pretty much applies to literally everyone that ruled Greek colonies during that period. I wonder if there was any kings since the death of Alexander the Great that lived a peaceful, uneventful happy family life.

Technically we are in the beginning of the Roman era, but the Seleukid Kingdom still existed without direct control from Rome. The coin is a tetradrachm from the reign of Demetrios Soter (the saviour):



He didn't live long, but he didn't have a boring day in his life. He was raised as a hostage in Rome as a result of a treaty between the Romans and his father Seleukus IV Philopator. When his father was murdered, he requested from the Roman Senate to be allowed to return to Syria to rule, but this was rejected as Rome was happy to see the 9 year old Antiochus V Eupator in the throne instead. The 24 year old Demetrios managed to escape though, and went on to rule the kingdom in 161BC after killing everyone in his way. He become known as the 'Soter' (saviour) after freeing the Babylonians from the rule of Timarchus. He was also (in)famous for defeating the Jews and killing Judas Maccabaeus in battle. Eventually his luck run out and was killed in battle in 150BC by Alexander Balas that was supported by both the Romans and the Jews.

This purchase was the point were I realised that coin collection can become an addiction. I only started collecting at the end of February thinking that I would get a coin every few months, but I ended up buying 3-4 per month... Bad timing with coronavirus and the economic uncertainty that comes with it. I did the math and I was shocked by how much I spent in coins... I will try to stop until at least I am sure I will still have a job when the crisis calms down. I think the problem was enhanced by having too much free time lately... Luckily, 'Last of us Part II' is coming out to Playstation and hopefully this will occupy my free time fully in the summer... Going on holiday seems unlikely anyway.

Show me your Seleukid kings, kings that became hostages, or any coins that made you think that you are probably addicted to this hobby!

 

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Congrats on your capture! Beautiful coin and great writeup.

LOL, yeah, I kinda said the same thing when for a couple years I was at an average clip of a coin a day. No, I purchase NO multiple lots, no hoards. They were all single find single purchase decisions. And, yeah, you can really sink some real money during that process of buying. But, it was fun, some very cool coins, and I really empathize with your feelings!

I captured a BOTTLECAP from this King cuz I wanted to have one!

I think this was off a bottle of YOOHOO!


Seleukid Kingdom.
Demetrios I Soter.
162-150 BCE
AE 17 serrate (16.84 mm, 3.90 g, 11 h).
Antioch on the Orontes mint.
Head of horse left /
BAΣIΛEΩΣ ΔHMHTPIOY, head of elephant right.
SC 1646; SNG Spaer 1299-1304

 

Great coin, old man, congrats.
Antiochos VII Sidetes , son of Demetrios I Soter and brother of Demetrios II Nicator which he succeeded after his brother was captured by the Parthians. Sidetes ruled from 138-129 BC



..

 

..fine coin OaPOM...

 

Very nice!
How about one of Demetrius’s father, Seleucus IV!


Seleucus IV AR tetradrachm. 187-175 BC. Antioch mint. 17.1 g. Diademed head right. / BAΣIΛEΩΣ ΣEΛEYKOY, Apollo seated left on omphalos, holding bow and arrow. Filleted palm branch.

 

Yes coin collecting can be addicting, I figured it out myself as well when I started, luckily I do am in able to control myself when I must, the first 3 months of this year I bought zero coins due to personal situations. As long as I am financially capable and responsible when I buy coins then it is fine for me.

Talking about addiction and your recent Seleukid pick up, I do am addicted to the Seleukid empire and is definitely a big part of my collection focus. Great tetradrachm and of nice style!

A drachm of him minted in Ekbatana.

Demetrios I Soter (162-150 B.C.) AR Drachm. Ekbatana mint, 155-150 B.C.
Obverse: Diademed head right of Demetrios I right.
Reverse: BAΣIΛEΩΣ - ΔHMHTPI[OY / ΣΩTHPOΣ] Apollo seated left on omphalos, holding arrow in his right hand and resting his left on grounded bow.
Reference: SC 1735.5.
4.13g; 17mm

A hemidrachm of the king he lost the battle with in 150 BC.

Alexander I Balas (152/1 B.C. - 145 B.C.) AR Hemidrachm. Antioch on the Orontes mint, 150-149 B.C.
Obverse: Radiate and diademed head right.
Reverse: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ AΛEΞANΔPOY, Apollo standing front, head to left, holding arrow in his right hand and leaning left on bow; in exergue, HΓ.
Reference: SC 1786.4.
1.66g; 12mm

His son, which became a hostage by the Parthians.

Demetrios II Nikator (146 - 138 B.C.). First reign. Æ Denomination B, Uncertain mint 94 in Northern Syria , ca. 145 - 144 B.C.
Obverse: Laureate head of Apollo right, hair rolled, two long locks escaping down neck.
Reverse: BAΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΔHMHTPIOY ΦIΛAΔEΛΦOY NIKATOPOΣ (“of King Demetrios the Victorious”); Filleted tripod.
Reference: SC 1918.
5.78g;
18mm

And Antiochos IV who also was a hostage by Rome.

Antiochos IV Epiphanes (175-164 B.C.) AE Denomination B. Hierapolis Bambyce mint, struck ca. 168-164 B.C.
Obverse: Radiate, diademed head of Antiochos IV right.
Reverse: IEPOΠOΛITΩN. Hadad (or Zeus) standing right, head left, holding wreath.
Reference: SC 1432.5.
6.96g; 20mm

 

Great coins you have there. The Seleukids are definitely a very fun area to focus on. Plenty of coins to get, and if those are not enough, focusing on the Diadochoi in general should keep a collector busy for many years. Only problem is that they are not the cheapest of coins.

 

Nice coins! Here's a silver and two bronzes of Demetrios I Soter, who was depicted on the OP coin featured in @Only a Poor Old Man's interesting write-up. The last one is another example of @Alegandron's horse/elephant bottle cap that used to be available on that special "Seleucid Series" run of Yoo-hoo he remembered. That's how I got the middle one with Artemis as well - it was a great way, while it lasted, to save money when acquiring these coin types!



Demetrios I Soter. (162-150 BC) AR Drachm. 17 mm, 3.92 g. Antioch mint. Dated SE 161 = 152/151 BC. Diademed head of Demetrios right. / BAΣIΛEΩΣ ΔHMHTPOY ΣΩTHPOΣ, Cornucopiae; monograms and date below. Drachm.


Demetrios I Soter (162-150 BC). Serrate AE. (20 mm, 7.86 g). Antioch mint. Bust of Artemis right, hair in stephanos, bow and quiver at shoulder. / BAΣIΛEOΣ / ΔEMHTPIOY, titles vertically downward to right and left of bow and quiver.


Demetrios I Soter (162-150 BC). Serrate AE. 17 mm, 3.35 g. Antioch mint.
Horse's head left. / BAΣIΛEΩΣ ΔHMHTPIOY, elephant's head right.

 

LOL, I bust out laughing with that comment! Your bottle-caps are great!

 

Budget minded collectors have two choices: Bemoan the high price of big silver or collect the many options in bronze. As demonstrated by several of the above posts, many of our CT family opt for the AE route. Me, too.

Seleukos IV AE20


Antiochus IV AE27


Antiochus IV AE13


Antiochus IV AE14


Demitrios I AE15


Alexander I Balas AE18

 

You are right, I should have pointed out that the silver ones are the ones that are expensive. I have nothing against bronze coins, but the main reason I collect coins is because I appreciate the miniature art on them. I believe that the art can be enjoyed more on a shiny silver coin rather than on a darker and usually smaller bronze or copper coin. Also, silver is a safer metal in terms of damage like bronze disease, etc. I would be happy to get a bronze coin though if the design is prominent and interesting.

 

I actually enjoy Seleukid bronze more in the terms of variety and uniqueness, also the big size, sometimes thicker then silver tetradrachms.
But I understand that silver coins are often a bit more clear to see and the metal more inert.


Antiochos III 'the Great' (223-187 BC) AE Denomination AA, Ekbatana mint.
Obverse: Diademed head of Antiochos III to right.
Reverse: ΒAΣΙΛΕΩΣ - ANTIOXOY Mare standing left, suckling foal; to left, monogram.
Reference: SC 1268
30 mm; 23.44 g


Antiochos III Megas (223 - 187 B.C.) Æ Denomination A. Uncertain military mint 73 associated with Ekbatana, circa 210 B.C.
Obverse: Diademed head of Antiochus III right.
Reverse: BAΣΙΛΕΩΣ ANTIOXΟΥ (“of King Antiochos”). Elephant advancing right; anchor to left, monogram between legs.
Reference: SC 1275c. HGC 9, 469.
16.28g; 25mm
From the E.E. Clain-Stefanelli collection.

 

A beautiful tetradrachm! Here is a certain sign of my addiction: a silver (drachm) from Alexander I Theopater Euergetes Balas, who defeated and took the crown from Demetrius I Soter in 150 BC. Son of Antiochus IV or a man from Smyrna of humble origins supported by Attalus II of Pergamon? Ptolemaic puppet controlled by Cleopatra Thea? Either way - Demetrios II (son of Demetrios I) took the family throne back in 145.

Seleukid Kingdom, Alexander I Balas, 152-145 BC, Drachm
Obv: Diademed head of Alexander I to right
Rev: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ / ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ - ΘΕΟΠΑΤΟΡΟΣ / ΕΥΕΡΓΕΤΟΥ Apollo seated left on omphalos, holding arrow in his right hand and resting his right on his bow; monogram in exergue
Ref: mint Seleucia on Tigris SC II 1859

 

I’ve been somewhat inspired by @Only a Poor Old Man ’s Seleukid quest.
Years ago I had ambitions about collecting the Hellenistic kings in the same way that I collect Roman emperors, but as the emperors grew scarcer and more expensive, I gave up and even sold some of my Seleukid coins. One of the coins that I sold showed up at an auction in May, and with few bids on it, I bought it back. Very happy with that! Welcome home Demetrius!



SELEUKID KINGS of SYRIA, Demetrios I Soter. 162-150 BC.

AR drachm Dated S.E. 161 = 152/1 BC.

Obverse: Diademed head of Demetrios right

Reverse: BAΣIΛEΩΣ ΔHMHTPIOY ΣΩTHPOΣ, Cornucopia, two monograms below. AΞP (date) below monograms.

Reference: SC 1642.3b, HGC 9, 806,

Size: 17mm Weight: 3.39g Dark patchy find patina. VF