Lot 174
Seleukid Kingdom. Demetrios I Soter. Silver Tetradrachm (16.71 g), 162-150 BC. Seleukeia on the Tigris, 161-150 BC. Jugate busts of Demetrios I, diademed, and Laodike, veiled, draped and wearing stephane, right. Reverse: BAΣIΛEΩΣ ΔHMHTPIOY [ΣΩTHPOΣ], Tyche seated left on throne with Nike bering wreath leg support, holding short scepter and cornucopiae; to outer left, HP monogram and palm branch. SC 1689; HGC 9, 799. Very Rare. Both outstanding portraits struck in high relief. Some areas of weakness about the borders. Untoned. Very Fine. Estimated Value $2,500 - UP
The mint at Seleukeia began striking for Demetrios I only after his defeat of the usurper Timarchos in 161 BC. The first issue from Seleukeia in all metals began with dual portrait pieces, the obverse presenting both Demetrios and his Queen, Laodike, and perhaps should be considered as a special "marriage coinage," struck to celebrate the couple's wedding at Seleukeia after the defeat of Timarchos. Unlike the succeeding issues depicting the king alone, many of these marriage pieces are overstruck on coins of Timarchos, although this does not appear to be the case with our coin.Another interesting aspect of this rare and beautiful marriage tetradrachm is that in place of a Tritoness leg support, which appears on all of the other precious metal issues from Seleukeia (SC 1685-7 and 1689), here the rear leg of Tyche's throne on the reverse depicts Nike advancing to the right, holding a wreath and probably carrying a palm. Furthermore, a palm symbol appears in the left field as a secondary control along with the primary control of the HP monogram. These are clear references to Demetrios' victory over Timarchos, the wreath-bearing Nike support too significant to ascribe as a die engraver's error. It was, however, soon abandoned.
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