| Numismatica Ars Classica > Auction 149 | Auction date: 2 December 2024 |
| Lot number: 188 Price realized: 2,750 CHF (Approx. 3,098 USD / 2,959 EUR) Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees. | Show similar lots on CoinArchives Find similar lots in upcoming auctions on  |
| Lot description: Demetrius I Soter, 162 – 150 Tetradrachm, Soli circa 162-154, AR 30 mm, 16.20 g. Diademed head of Demetrius I r., with fleshy features. Laurel wreath border. Rev. BAΣΙΛΕΩΣ – ΔHMHTPIOY Tyche, holding sceptre and cornucopiae, seated l. on throne supported by tritoness r.; in outer fields, monograms. CSE 551 = SC 1613 (this coin). Of the highest rarity. A lovely portrait of fine style struck on fresh metal with a lovely old cabinet tone. Minor areas of weakness, otherwise about extremely fine Ex Leu 65, 1996, 247, Leu 77, 2000, 366 and Oslo Myntgalleri 4, 2014, 1142 sales. From the Arthur Houghton collection. In 176 BC, Demetrius I, was sent to Rome as a hostage for the good behavior of his father Seleucus IV. He should have been released to assume the Seleucid kingship when his uncle Antiochus IV Epiphanes died in 164 BC, but the Romans preferred to recognize the weak regime of Lysias and Antiochus V Eupator instead. At last, in 162 BC, Demetrius I escaped from Italy with the assistance of his friends, including the historian Polybius. Upon reaching Tripolis in Phoenicia and assembling an army of mercenaries, he marched north into Syria where he was warmly received by everyone except for Lysias and Antiochus V. Their dissatisfaction was quickly brought to an end by the executioner. While Demetrius I had reclaimed the throne, he was faced with a very difficult reign. In 161 BC he was challenged by Timarchus, the rebel strap of. The threat posed by this usurper increased as he expanded his power westward into Babylonia and gained Roman recognition, but Demetrius I marched against him and was victorious. In gratitude for saving them from Timarchus, the Babylonians hailed Demetrius as Soter ("Savior"). The Romans also grudgingly recognized him as the legitimate Seleucid king thereafter. With the eastern problem of Timarchus settled, Demetrius I then seems to have set about doing all he could to anger his western neighbors. In return for 1000 talents, Demetrius I expelled Ariarathes V of Cappadocia from his kingdom and briefly placed his brother Orophernes on the throne. He also attempted to gain the island of Cyprus by bribing its Ptolemaic governor with 500 talents, but the plot was discovered and the intended transfer of the island to the Seleucid kingdom never took place. At the same time, Demetrius I also seems to have begun to alienate his own subjects. At last, Demetrius' neighbors, Ariarathes V and his ally Attalus II of Pergamum, and Ptolemy VI Philometor of Egypt banded together against him. In 152 BC, Eumenes II began to advance Alexander of Smyrna (Alexander I Balas) as a supposed son of Antiochus IV and heir to the Seleucid throne. Alexander I landed at Ake-Ptolemais where he received the support of the Ptolemaic army and began preparations for war. The two kings faced off against one another for some time, but in 150 BC they met in battle, and Demetrius I was killed. Estimate: 1500 CHF |  |
