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| Numismatica Ars Classica > Auction 165 | Auction date: 26 May 2026 |
| Lot number: 398 Price realized: Unsold | Show similar lots on CoinArchives Find similar lots in upcoming auctions on  |
| Lot description: Antiochos XI and Philip I, 94 – 93 Tetradrachm uncertain mint in Cilicia circa 94-93, AR 26 mm, 15.75 g. Jugate diademed heads of Antiochos XI and Philip I r.; bead-and-reel border. Rev. ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩ[Σ] / ΑΝΤΙΟΧΟΥ / ΚΑΙ ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ / ΦΙΛΙΠΠΟΥ Zeus seated l., holding Nike and sceptre; below, Φ. All within wreath. SC 2438 (these dies). HGC 9, 1297 (these dies). cf. Triton sale II, 1998, 484 (these dies) Of the highest rarity, only the second specimen known. An excellent jugate portrait and a light tone, minor reparation on obverse edge, otherwise good very fine Ex Triton sale XXII, 2019, 341. Privately purchased from Frank Kovacs in 2011. From the MNL collection. This extremely rare tetradrachm belongs to the deeply troubled late period of Seleucid history, in which the once great empire spanning Asia Minor, the Near East, and Central Asia founded by Seleucus I in 312 BC was in its final stages of disintegration through the secession of indigenous rulers and an endless civil war between the descendants of Demetrius II Nicator and Antiochus VII Sidetes. By the time this coin was struck in the early first century BC, the formerly vast Seleucid territory had been reduced to the rival capitals at Antioch on the Orontes and Damascus, and a few other cities in northern Syria and Cilicia, most of which were rapidly tiring of the failing monarchy. When Seleucus VI Epiphanes, the older brother of Antiochus IX and Philip I – all grandsons of Demetrius II – was expelled from Antioch by Antiochus X Eusebes, the grandson of Antiochus VII, in ca. 95/4 BC, he withdrew to Mopsuestia in Cilicia to regroup for a campaign to recapture the city. Unfortunately, Seleucus' financial demands on the Mopsuestians led to rioting in which the king was killed and his palace set ablaze. Upon learning of their brother's death, the twins Antiochus IX and Philip I, who may have controlled the city of Tarsus, jointly claimed the royal title for themselves and marched to take revenge against the Mopsuestians. The present tetradrachm may very well have been struck to finance the punitive campaign against the city. After sacking Mopsuestia, the brothers began to consider the work of driving Antiochus X out of Antioch. To retain control of their possessions in Cilicia, in 94/3 BC, it was agreed that Philip I would remain there while Antiochus XI led an army into Syria. He succeeded in expelling Antiochus X and held Antioch for a period of months before the latter returned. Unfortunately, when Antiochus XI faced his cousin this time, he was defeated and drowned while trying to escape across the Orontes River. After the death of Antiochus XI, Philip I made some inroads into northern Syria, but faced opposition from both Antiochus X and his brother Demetrius III Eukairos, who ruled in Damascus. Only after these two were swept away by the Parthians was Philip I finally able to seize the gleaming prize of Antioch in ca. 88/7 BC. The confused nature of the sources for late Seleucid history makes it difficult to know precisely how long Philip I continued to reign after this, with 84/3 and 76/5 BC possible dates for its end. The tetradrachm follows the usual model for late Seleucid silver, which regularly depicts a royal portrait on the obverse and the enthroned figure of Zeus on the reverse. This piece, however, is remarkable for the use of a jugate portrait of the brothers together. Previously on Seleucid coins, jugate portraits were reserved for depictions of husband and wife (Cleopatra Thea and Alexander I or Antiochus VII) and mother and son (Cleopatra Thea and Antiochus VIII). Here, for the first time, a jugate portrait has been used for two brothers. Also notable here is the sideburn on the portrait of Antiochus XI, which is thought to represent the growth of a campaign beard perhaps as a visual indicator of a vow of revenge against Mopsuestia and/or Antiochus X. Estimate: 10000 CHF |  |
