| Savoca Numismatik GmbH & Co. KG > Online Auction 193 | Silver | Auction date: 28 January 2024 |
| Lot number: 55 Price realized: Unsold | Show similar lots on CoinArchives Find similar lots in upcoming auctions on  |
| Lot description: Kings of Pergamon. Pergamon. Philetairos 282-263 BC. Struck circa 269/8-263 BC Tetradrachm AR 30 mm, 16,88 g Diademed head of Seleukos I right / ΦΙΛΕΤΑΙΡΟΥ, Athena enthroned left, holding shield, spear cradled in arm, elbow resting on sphinx; ivy leaf to left, bow to outer right; ΠA monogram in exergue. Extremely Fine SC 309.4b. Philetairos, born around 343 BC, was the founder of the Attalid dynasty in Pergamon, Anatolia. His intriguing lineage, possibly Macedonian, included a childhood incident that resulted in his becoming a eunuch. Initially serving under Dokimos, a follower of Antigonos Monophthalmos, Philetairos later aligned with Lysimachos, becoming the custodian of Pergamon and its treasures. His loyalty shifted in 283/282 BC, siding with Seleucus I after the murder of Lysimachos' heir, Agathokles. Pergamon, under Seleucid suzerainty, became a semi-autonomous principality, reflected in its coinage. Philetairos initiated significant building projects in Pergamon, expanding the city and constructing the Demeter Sanctuary. When facing the Galatian threat, he strategically utilized his treasury and supported neighboring cities. In his later years, Philetairos steered Pergamon away from Seleucid influence. With no direct heirs, Philetairos adopted his nephew Eumenes, ensuring a smooth succession. His death in 263 BC marked the end of an era, but his legacy endured through Eumenes I, who continued the Attalid dynasty. Philetairos' impact is evident in Pergamon's cultural and political contributions, commemorated in coinage and structures, symbolizing a remarkable chapter in Hellenistic history. Starting price: 5000 EUR |  |
