Stunning drachm from Alexander II Zabinas

Discussion in 'Ancient Coins' started by Pavlos, Jun 23, 2019.

  1. Pavlos

    Pavlos You pick out the big men. I'll make them brave!

    I toke a shot putting a pre-bid on this coin thinking I wouldn't win it because the condition is extremely nice and the coin type is quite rare (in acsearch only 2 sold, both by CNG). To my surprise I did win it and I am glad I did. It will fit very nicely in my Seleukid collection.

    [​IMG]
    Alexander II Zabinas (128 B.C. - 122 B.C.) AR Drachm. Toned.
    Obverse:
    Diademed head of Zabinas right
    Reverse: BAΣIΛEΩΣ AΛEΞANΔPOY, Athena standing left, resting hand on shield, spear propped in left elbow, extending right hand beyond legend and holding Nike left, in left field Δ, monogram above.
    Reference: SC 2222a; HGC 9, 1155.

    His portrait as usual, shows an almost girlish face compared to the other Seleukid kings who had the more typical Hellenistic portraits.

    For the people who want to know more about this king:

    Although possessing no royal blood, Alexander II Zabinas successfully usurped the Seleucid throne with the aid of the Egyptian king Ptolemy VIII Physcon. Probably the son of an Egyptian merchant, he claimed at different times to be the son of Alexander I Balas (150-145 BC) or the adoptive son of the last really capable Seleukid ruler, Antiochus VII Sidetes, who died on campaign against the Parthians in 129 BC. After Sidetes' death, his brother Demetrios II briefly resumed the Seleukid throne after more than a decade spent in Parthian captivity, but quickly became embroiled in an Egyptian civil war between Ptolemy VIII and his sister, Cleopatra II. For a couple of years, Alexander ruled Antioch and it's surroundings, where he was beloved for his generosity with Ptolemy VIII's money. However, most of the Seleukid empire backed a regime headed by the ferocious queen Cleopatra Thea and her son Antiochos VIII Grypos ("hook-nosed"). An end to the Egyptian civil war in 125 BC caused Ptolemy VIII to cut off his support to Alexander.

    Alexander fled to his capital Antioch and began plundering the treasures of its temples. He was said to have joked, while melting down a golden statue of Nike previously located in the hand of an idol of Zeus, that "Zeus lends me victory". Since the gold was needed to pay his troops, this action was accepted by the citizens of Antioch. However, a few days later, his men were discovered in the act of removing a great golden statue of Zeus himself and in 123 BC the people of Antioch revolted and ejected him from the city. He was soon captured by a band of robbers and handed over to Cleopatra Thea, who executed him early in 122 BC.

    Please share your coins from Zabinas, any other Seleukid usurpers and Seleukid coins featuring the goddess Athena!
     
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  3. Bing

    Bing Illegitimi non carborundum Supporter

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  4. Roman Collector

    Roman Collector Well-Known Member

  5. David@PCC

    David@PCC allcoinage.com

    Very nice, I don't have one of that type.
    g263.jpg
    Alexander II
    Mint: Antioch
    AR Drachm
    128 to 122 BC
    Obvs: Diademed head right, dotted border.
    Revs: BAΣΙΛEΩΣ AΛEΞANΔPOY, Two filleted cornuacopiae. ΞΣ to left
    15mm, 3.40g
    Ref: SC 2 2223c
     
  6. Andres2

    Andres2 Well-Known Member

    Congrats, Pavlos.

    Here's a coin from Antiochus VII Euergetes Sidetes(=the benefactor from Side) (138-129 BC) with Athena on the reverse, lost his life fighting the Parthians.

    P1150851xnn.jpg
     
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  7. Terence Cheesman

    Terence Cheesman Well-Known Member

    Last January I picked up this coin Alexander II Tetradrachm Antioch SC 2220b 16.55 grams 128-122 B.C. SKalexzabinas4.jpg I was pleased to get this coin as the previous coin of Zabinas I tried bidding on went for many times what I thought it was worth. Like many Seleucid coins on the market lately it was from the MHL Collection
     
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  8. Marsyas Mike

    Marsyas Mike Well-Known Member

    That is indeed a great looking drachm of Alexander II Zabinas, Pavlos.

    I thought the name sounded familiar and found I do have one - a crude little AE with serrated edges (if my attribution is correct). Despite the problems, I think it has some artistic flair - not bad for an usurper!

    Seleucid - Alexander II Zabinas AE Sep 2018 (0).jpg

    Seleucid King. Æ 18 Serrate
    Alexander II Zebinas
    (128-123 B.C.)
    Antioch mint
    Dionysos head right, wreathed with ivy / [BA]ΣIΛEΩΣ AΛEXANΔΡOY, winged Tyche
    standing left on prow, modius on head, with anchor & cornucopia,
    [Δ-over-M monogram to left].
    Lind. III 1111; SNG Cop 373.
    (4.74 grams / 18 mm)
     
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  9. Pavlos

    Pavlos You pick out the big men. I'll make them brave!

    Great coins everyone, thank you for sharing!
    @Terence Cheesman You should indeed be pleased with that coin, it is a great example!

    @Marsyas Mike
    Your attribution is partly correct, the mint is actually Apamea on the Orontes and not Antioch. For attribution of Seleukid coins, often the catalogue by Arthur Houghton, Catharine Lorber, and Oliver Hoover is used named "Seleucid Coins: A Comprehensive Catalogue".
    Yours would have the reference: SC II 2242
     
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  10. Marsyas Mike

    Marsyas Mike Well-Known Member

    Thank you for that correction, Pavlos. I will correct my flip accordingly.
     
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