| Heritage World Coin Auctions > NYINC Signature Sale 3114 | Auction date: 16 January 2024 |
| Lot number: 33160 Price realized: 2,100 USD (Approx. 1,929 EUR) Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees. | Show similar lots on CoinArchives Find similar lots in upcoming auctions on  |
| Lot description: Ancients SELEUCID KINGDOM. Seleucus II Callinicus (246-225 BC). AR tetradrachm (31mm, 17.02 gm, 1h). NGC MS 5/5 - 3/5, Fine Style, brushed. Antioch on the Orontes, from ca. 244 BC. Diademed head of Seleucus II right, with long, wavy sideburn, diadem ties falling straight behind; dotted border / ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ / ΣΕΛ-ΕΥΚΟΥ, Apollo standing left, nude, examining arrow in outstretched right hand, resting left elbow on tall sacrificial tripod; HΔ monogram in inner left field; MP monogram in outer right field. SC 689.1a. A captivating masterpiece boasting a luminous frosty finish, meticulously crafted from artistic Fine Style dies. The reign of Seleucus II was chaotic from its inception. The son of Antiochus II by his first wife, Laodice, Seleucus was proclaimed king upon his father's unexpected death (probably by poisoning) in 246 BC by partisans of his mother at Ephesus, while his infant half-brother Antiochus was proclaimed by Berenice, his father's second wife and sister of Ptolemy III, who supported her claim. When Laodice murdered Berenice and her son, Ptolemy launched a full-scale invasion of the Seleucid Kingdom (the Third Syrian War) that forced Seleucus into a five-year rear-guard action and led to the capture and sack of Antioch by Ptolemaic forces. Even after Ptolemy withdrew in 241 BC, Seleucus had to contend with a rebellion by his younger brother, Antiochus Hierax, that left large portions of the kingdom under Hierax's control for another 14 years. Seleucus dealt with these wars as best as he could given the circumstances forced upon him by his murderous mother and contentious sibling, but his qualities as a ruler and tactician are difficult to assess due to the paucity of sources for the reign. A riding accident cut his rule short in 225 BC. https://coins.ha.com/itm/ancients/greek/ancients-seleucid-kingdom-seleucus-ii-callinicus-246-225-bc-ar-tetradrachm-31mm-1702-gm-1h-ngc-ms-5-5-3-5/a/3114-33160.s?type=DA-DMC-CoinArchives-WorldCoins-3114-01162024 HID02906262019 © 2023 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved |  |
