| Leu Numismatik AG > Auction 15 | Auction date: 1 June 2024 |
| Lot number: 143 Price realized: 6,000 CHF (Approx. 6,639 USD / 6,124 EUR) Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees. | |
| Lot description: SELEUKID KINGS. Tryphon, circa 142-138 BC. Tetradrachm (Silver, 31 mm, 16.23 g, 1 h), Antiochia on the Orontes. Diademed head of Tryphon to right. Rev. BAΣIΛEΩΣ / TPYΦΩNOΣ - AYTOKPATOPOΣ Spiked Macedonian (or Cretan?) helmet with cheek guards to left, adorned with wild goat's horn above visor; in inner left field, Π; all within oak wreath. CSE -. Roma 14 (2017), 318 (same obverse die). SC -, cf. 2031 (unlisted with Π, but cf. SC 2033i for Π on a drachm). SMA -. Of the highest rarity, apparently the second known example of this variety. A beautiful coin with a magnificent portrait. The reverse struck slightly off center, otherwise, nearly extremely fine. Ex Leu 10, 24 October 2021, 2211 and previously from a German collection, formed in the 1960s. The distinctive reverse type with a helmet was minted by Tryphon in two variants, once with and once without a surrounding oak wreath (see lot 142 above). The meaning of the oak wreath is unclear - is it a victory wreath commemorating a military success, or does the significance lean more towards the divine, reminiscent of the sacred oak tree of the Zeus sanctuary in Dodona? Iconographically, Tryphon's oak wreath is certainly an innovation in Seleukid coinage. As such, it fits into a series of innovations introduced by the usurper, who could not claim dynastic Seleukid legitimacy, particularly following the death of his protégé Antiochus VI. Consequently, he ventured iconographically down new paths, introducing the new title AYTOKPATOPOΣ as well as dating his reign by regnal years instead of the Seleukid era on coins from Ake-Ptolemais. Unsurprisingly, all of these innovations were immediately abandoned following the downfall of the usurper in 138 BC. Regarding the oak wreath, it should be noted that there are several precedents for it outside the Seleukid realm, especially in the slightly earlier coinage of the Macedonian king Perseus, as well as on some nearly contemporary stephanophoric tetradrachms of Western Asia Minor, such as those from Kyzikos, Aigai, and Herakleia on the Latmos. It appears highly probable that these examples significantly influenced the iconography of Tryphon's tetradrachms from Antioch, much like the Ptolemaic prototypes did for his coinage in Ake-Ptolemais. Estimate: 5000 CHF |  |
Match 1:
| Leu Numismatik AG > Auction 15 | Auction date: 1 June 2024 |
| Lot number: 142 Price realized: 8,500 CHF (Approx. 9,405 USD / 8,676 EUR) Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees. | |
| Lot description: SELEUKID KINGS. Tryphon, circa 142-138 BC. Tetradrachm (Silver, 31 mm, 16.52 g, 1 h), Antiochia on the Orontes. Diademed head of Tryphon to right. Rev. BAΣIΛEΩΣ / TPYΦΩNOΣ - AYTOKPATOPOΣ Spiked Macedonian (or Cretan?) helmet with cheek guards to left, adorned with wild goat's horn above visor; in inner left field, monogram. CSE 254. SC 2029a. SMA -. Of the highest rarity without wreath on the reverse. A coin of great beauty with a wonderful portrait of the usurper. A few scattered light marks, otherwise, about extremely fine. Ex Leu Web Auction 14, 20 December 2020, 577 and previously from a German collection, formed in the 1960s. Tryphon, a former strategos of Demetrios I and Alexander I Balas, assumed a pivotal role in Seleukid politics when he appointed the two-year-old Antiochos VI as king in 144 BC, subsequently serving as his tutor and protector. During this guardianship, a significant event unfolded as the Jews, led by Simon Thassi, successfully seceded from Seleukid authority following Tryphon's capture and execution of Simon's brother, Jonathan Apphus, in 143 BC. Upon the death of Antiochos VI in 142/1 BC, Tryphon seized the kingship for himself. However, his reign was short-lived as he faced defeat and eventual death at the hands of Antiochos VII in 138 BC. The emergence of the helmet motif on Seleucid coinage marks an intriguing development. Initially appearing in 143/2 BC on a drachm of Antiochos IV, featuring the inscription TPY between the spike and horn on the reverse, this motif became the primary coin type under Tryphon's rule. While conventionally described as a Macedonian helmet, K. Ehling has proposed an alternative interpretation, suggesting it may actually depict a Cretan helmet, possibly alluding to the presence of Cretan mercenaries within the Seleukid army, a great number of which arrived with Demetrios II in Syria in 147 BC. If substantiated, this iconographic choice suggests Tryphon's dependence on these foreign mercenaries, possibly due to their greater willingness to support a usurper compared to the regular Seleukid soldiers, who typically hailed from Macedonian military colonies in Syria and thus held stronger allegiance to the legitimate Seleukid dynasty. Estimate: 5000 CHF |  |
Match 2:
| Leu Numismatik AG > Auction 15 | Auction date: 1 June 2024 |
| Lot number: 144 Price realized: 280 CHF (Approx. 310 USD / 286 EUR) Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees. | |
| Lot description: SELEUKID KINGS. Tryphon, circa 142-138 BC. AE (Bronze, 18 mm, 5.95 g, 4 h), Antiochia on the Orontes. Diademed head of Tryphon to right. Rev. BAΣIΛEΩΣ / TPYΦΩNOΣ - AYTOKPATOPOΣ Spiked Macedonian (or Cretan?) helmet with cheek guards facing to left, adorned with wild goat's horn above visor; in lower field to left, pilei of the dioskouroi. CSE 259. SC 2034.2d. Well struck and with a lovely dark patina. Good extremely fine. From a European collection, formed before 2005. Estimate: 350 CHF |  |
Match 3:
| Leu Numismatik AG > Auction 16 | Auction date: 19 October 2024 |
| Lot number: 79 Price realized: This lot is for sale in an upcoming auction - Bid on this lot  | |
| Lot description: KINGS OF PONTOS. Pharnakes I, before 196/5-circa 155 BC. Tetradrachm (Silver, 31 mm, 17.05 g, 12 h), Sinope. Diademed and bearded head of Pharnakes I to right. Rev. BAΣIΛEΩΣ - ΦAPNAKOY Pantheistic male deity standing facing, wearing flat hat topped with a thunderbolt, holding cornucopiae and kerykeion with his left hand and feeding fawn standing right with a vine branch held in his right; in inner left field, star-in-crescent (Pontic royal badge); in inner right field, monogram of ΠAΣ. De Callataÿ, First Royal Coinages of Pontos, - (-/-). Leu Web Auction 30 (2024), 633. RG 4b. SNG BM Black Sea -. SNG Paris -. Extremely rare and in outstanding condition, perhaps the finest of less than thirty known coins of this ruler. With a delightful naturalistic portrait struck in incredibly high relief and a highly interesting reverse motif. A few light marks and very minor weakness on the reverse, otherwise, good extremely fine. From a European collection, formed before 2005. King Pharnakes I of Pontos is known to us primarily through fragments of Polybios' historical works, which describe various embassies the ruler dispatched to the Roman Senate in response to complaints from the Rhodians in Rome regarding the king's conquest of the important port city of Sinope. The commencement of his reign was long dated to the 180s BC; however, the re-dating of an inscription of Pharnakes in Delos to 196/5 BC indicates that he must have ascended to power considerably earlier. Today, it is believed that his reign extended from before 196/5 to around 155 BC. In the roster of Pontic kings, his tenure would thus have been surpassed only by that of his grandson, Mithridates VI. Like all Pontic kings preceding Eupator, Pharnakes I minted only a few coins, and his tetradrachms are among the rarest of the Hellenistic era. Notably, Pontic coins feature exceptional, naturalistically rendered portraits that markedly differ from the idealized depictions of contemporary Macedonian dynasties and are considered among the finest portrait representations on ancient coins. This particular piece is an especially impressive example; its outstanding preservation showcases the full die engraving artisanship of the undoubtedly Greek artist. Similar to the highly important tetradrachm of his son, Mithridates V, in this sale (see lot 80 below), Pharnakes' piece was likely also minted in his new capital, Sinope, where an important school of die engraving artistry appears to have been established. In addition to its outstanding portraits, the coinage of Pharnakes I is particularly notable for its reverse motif, which features a bewilderingly syncretic male deity adorned with a multitude of attributes. The god wears a floppy hat topped by a thunderbolt, holds a cornucopiae and a kerykeion, and feeds a fawn with a vine branch. Various identifications have been proposed for this figure, including Aion, Ma, a Dionysian form of Hermes, Hermes-Mithras, Hermes-Mithras-Dionysos, Apollo-Mithras, or Men, but its true identity remains ultimately uncertain. What is clear, however, is that this is not a classical Greek deity but rather a local god who likely represents a fusion of different cultural influences into a new form of worship. Estimate: 25000 CHF |  |
Match 4:
| Leu Numismatik AG > Web Auction 30 | Auction date: 13 July 2024 |
| Lot number: 918 Price realized: 1,900 CHF (Approx. 2,125 USD / 1,948 EUR) Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees. | |
| Lot description: KINGS OF ARMENIA. Tigranes II 'the Great', 95-56 BC. Tetradrachm (Silver, 26 mm, 16.23 g, 1 h), Antiochia on the Orontes (?), circa 80-68. Draped bust of Tigranes II to right, wearing five-pointed tiara decorated with comet star between two eagles. Rev. BAΣIΛEΩΣ - TIΓPANOY Eutychides' Tyche of Antiochia, turreted and veiled, seated right on rock, holding long palm frond in her right hand; below, river-god Orontes swimming right; on rock and outer right, monogram; all within wreath. Kovacs -, cf. 71.1-2 (with additional monogram in reverse field). SCADA -, cf. A41-P130a-d (with additional monogram in reverse field). Apparently unpublished. Fresh, sharp and with a wonderful portrait. The reverse struck slightly off center, otherwise, about extremely fine. From a European collection, formed before 2005. Starting price: 250 CHF |  |
Match 5:
| Leu Numismatik AG > Web Auction 31 | Auction date: 7 September 2024 |
| Lot number: 654 Price realized: 1,900 CHF (Approx. 2,255 USD / 2,031 EUR) Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees. | |
| Lot description: SELEUKID KINGS OF SYRIA. Antiochos VI Dionysos, 144-142 BC. Tetradrachm (Silver, 31 mm, 16.71 g, 1 h), Antiochia on the Orontes, SE 170 = 143/2. Radiate and diademed head of Antiochos VI to right. Rev. ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ / ΑΝΤΙΟΧΟΥ - ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ / ΔΙΟΝΥΣΟΥ The Dioskouroi galloping left, holding lances; to right, TPY above monogram above ΣTA; below horses, OP; all within wreath of lily, ivy and grain leaves and ears. SC 2000.3d. Lightly toned and with an attractive portrait. Minor marks, otherwise, good very fine. Ex Leu Web Auction 23, 22 August 2022, 3408 and previously privately acquired from Münzhandlung Ritter on 24 November 1993. Starting price: 500 CHF |  |
