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Home ▸ Catalog ▸ |Greek Coins| ▸ |Hellenistic Monarchies| ▸ |Seleucid Kingdom||View Options:   | | | The Seleucid Kingdom, ruled by the Hellenistic Seleucid dynasty, existed from 312 B.C. to 63 B.C. Seleucus I Nicator received Babylonia in the division of Alexander the Great's empire in 321 B.C. He expanded his domain, and at the height of its power, the Seleucid Empire included central Anatolia, Persia, the Levant, Mesopotamia, and what is now Kuwait, Afghanistan, and parts of Pakistan and Turkmenistan. They were defeated by the Roman Republic and their Greek allies in 190 B.C. The subsequent Treaty of Apamea in 188 B.C. required costly war reparations and loss of territory west of the Taurus Mountains. The Parthians conquered much of the remaining empire in the mid-2nd century B.C. The Seleucid kings continued to rule a smaller state from Syria until the invasion by Armenian king Tigranes the Great in 83 B.C. and their ultimate overthrow by the Roman general Pompey in 63 B.C. |
Zabinas claimed to be an adoptive son of Antiochus VII, but may have been the son of an Egyptian merchant. He was used as a pawn by the Egyptian king Ptolemy VIII Euergetes II (Physcon). Zabinas managed to defeat Demetrius II and thereafter ruled parts of Syria, but soon ran out of Egyptian support and was defeated by Demetrius' son Antiochus VIII Grypus. As a last resort, Zabinas plundered the temples of Antioch. He is said to have joked about melting down a statuette of the goddess of victory, Nike, which was held in the hand of a Zeus statue, saying "Zeus has given me Victory." Enraged by his impiety, the Antiochenes expelled Zabinas, who was captured and executed soon after. "Zabinas" is a derogatory name meaning "the bought one," implying he was Ptolemy's slave.SH113424. Silver tetradrachm, Houghton-Lorber II 2219(3)c, SNG Spaer 2288, Newell SMA 333, HGC 9 1149d, VF, well centered, toned, scratches and bumps, edge cracks, weight 16.766 g, maximum diameter 31.2 mm, die axis 0o, Antioch (Antakya, Turkey) mint, 128 - 127 B.C.; obverse diademed head right, fillet border; reverse Zeus seated left on throne, nude to the waist, himation around hips and legs, Nike in right hand, long lotus tipped scepter vertical behind in left hand, BAΣIΛEΩΣ (king) downward on right, AΛEΞANΔPOY (Alexander) downward on left, monogram left, Σ under throne; from the PS Collection, ex Aegean Numismatics (Mentor, OH); $470.00 (€441.80)
Seleukid Kingdom, Philip I Philadelphos, c. 94 - 83 or 75 B.C.
Philip I Philadelphus was the fourth son of Antiochus VIII Grypus. He took the diadem in 94 B.C. together with his twin brother Antiochus XI Epiphanes, after the eldest son Seleucus VI Epiphanes was killed by their cousin Antiochus X Eusebes. The next year Antiochus X killed Antiochus XI. Antiochus X was probably killed in 88 B.C. Philip's younger brother Demetrius III turned on Philip I and took the capital, but the Philip I prevailed and took Antioch. Their youngest brother Antiochus XII took Damascus. Philip I tried to take Damascus, after which he disappears from the historical record, which does not tell us how or when he died. His death is traditionally dated 83 B.C. but Numismatic evidence and clues in ancient literature indicate that Philip I might have died in 75 B.C. His coins remained in circulation when the Romans conquered Syria in 64 B.C. Roman authorities in Syria continued to issue coins modeled on Philip I's coins, including his portrait, until 13 B.C.GY113434. Silver tetradrachm, Houghton-Lorber II 2463(2)i, SNG Spaer 2803, Newell SMA 441, HGC 9 1319, BMC Seleucid -, gVF, toned, light encrustations, obv. off center, weight 15.904 g, maximum diameter 25.2 mm, die axis 0o, Antioch (Antakya, Turkey) mint, c. 88/7 - 83/75 B.C.; obverse diademed head of Philip I Philadelphos right, bulging eye, pouting lips, pronounced aquiline nose, fillet border; reverse BAΣIΛEΩΣ ΦIΛIΠΠOY EΠIΦANOYΣ ΦIΛAΔEΛΦOY, Zeus seated left on high-backed throne, nude to the waist, himation around hips and legs, Nike presenting wreath in right hand, long scepter vertical behind in left, .I.(Φ)/A outer left, N inner left,
(frozen control monogram) below throne, all within laurel wreath; ex Leu Numismatik auction 26 (13 July 2023), lot 6961 (part of); $320.00 (€300.80) Seleukid Kingdom, Antiochus VII Euergetes Sidetes, 138 - 129 B.C.
After his brother Demetrius was captured by the Parthians, Antiochus VII was made king. He married Demetrius' wife Cleopatra Thea. He defeated the usurper Tryphon at Dora and laid siege to Jerusalem in 134. According to Josephus, the Hasmonean king John Hyrcanus opened King David's sepulcher and removed three thousand talents, which he then paid Antiochus to spare the city. Sidetes then attacked the Parthians, supported by a body of Jews under Hyrcanus, and briefly took back Mesopotamia, Babylonia and Media before being ambushed and killed by Phraates II. His brother Demetrius II had by then been released, but the Seleucid realm was now restricted to Syria. Antiochus VII was the last Seleucid king of any stature.GY114602. Silver tetradrachm, Houghton-Lorber II 2061(1)s, Newell SMA 280, SNG Spaer 1852, HGC 9 1067d, VF, attractive style, bumps and scratches, uneven tone, rev. a little off center, weight 16.618 g, maximum diameter 31.2 mm, die axis 0o, Antioch (Antakya, Turkey) mint, 138 - 129 B.C.; obverse diademed head right, fillet border; reverse Athena standing slightly left, head left, right hand extended through inscription to border holding Nike, grounded shield in left hand, spear leaning on left arm, BAΣIΛEΩΣ / ANTIOXOY in two downward lines on right, EYEPΓETOY downward on left, ligate ΔI over Λ outer left, laurel wreath border; ex Aegean Numismatics (Mentor, OH); $300.00 (€282.00)
Lot of 5 Judaean Kingdom, John Hyrcanus I (Yehohanan), 134 - 104 B.C., Struck for Antiochus VII
Struck by John Hyrcanus, King of Judaea, in the name of the Seleukid King Antiochos VII, Euergetes (Sidetes). John Hyrcanus was the son of Simon the Maccabee and nephew of the folk hero Judah Maccabee, the hero of the Hanukkah story. Soon after Hyrcanus assumed power, the Seleukid king marched on Jerusalem. Antiochus VII and Hyrcanus I negotiated a treaty that left Hyrcanus a vassal to the Syrian king. Probably as a conciliatory gesture to the Jews, the lily (a symbol of Jerusalem) replaced the head of the Seleukid king. Later, John Hyrcanus would be the first Jewish ruler to issue coins in his own name.JD114557. Bronze prutah, cf. Houghton-Lorber II 2123, Hendin 6165, HGC 9 1103, Meshorer TJC p. 30, mostly gF, nice attractive specimens, c. 14-15mm, Jerusalem mint, 132 - 130 B.C.; obverse lily on stem with two leaves, dot border; reverse BAΣIΛEΩΣ ANTIOXOY EYEPΓETOY (Greek: of King Antiochus, Benefactor), anchor, upside down, Greek year (of the Seleucid Era) below; $225.00 (€211.50)
Seleucid Kingdom, Seleucus II Callinicus, 246 - 226 B.C.
The Seleukid Empire was under attack by Egypt when Kallinikos assumed the throne. He lost much of Thrace and coastal Anatolia to Ptolemy III. While he was fighting, his mother made his younger brother Antiochos Hierax joint ruler. Kallinikos agreed to partition the empire; however, Hierax wanted it all and Hierax and his Galatian mercenaries defeated him. Kallinikos managed to retain the lands east of the Tauros. The War of the Brothers weakened the empire, permitting regions such as Parthia to secede. Anatolia was soon lost. Kallinikos died after a fall from his horse.
Richard Ashton is reported in Seleucid Coins: A Comprehensive Catalog, Part 1 (2002) of having examined two specimens of this very rare coin type in the Afyon Museum in Turkey, but with weights of 3.06 and 4.51 grams, thus implying a larger denomination. The handsome example posted by Dane Kurth on the discussion boards of FORVM Ancient Coins in July 2010, with a diameter of 19mm, gives even more credence to the existence of "Denomination C." Although less clear cut, our coin might also fit more comfortably in the larger bronze category, since the "Denomination D" metrics given for SC 760 are "15 mm., 2.62-2.80 gm."GY113943. Bronze AE 16, Houghton-Lorber I 760; Newell WSM 827 & pl. VIII, 11; SNG Spaer -; HGC 9 -, F, smooth black patina, contrasting sandy deposits, obverse off-centered, weight 3.872 g, maximum diameter 16.1 mm, die axis 0o, Mesopotamia, Nisibis (Nusaybin, Turkey) mint, c. 246 - 226 B.C.; obverse Draped, jugate busts of the Dioscuri right, wearing laureate pilei, both surmounted by a star; reverse BAΣIΛEΩΣ (above) ΣΕΛΕYKOY (below; obscured), Dioscuri on horseback, charging right with couched spears, AY monogram to right, beneath farthest horse; very rare; $160.00 (€150.40)
Seleukid Kingdom, Alexander I Balas, 152 - 145 B.C., Apameia Civic Coinage
| This rare civic coinage type, without the portrait of the Seleukid King, was only issued for one year, 150 - 149 B.C. Apameia was on the right bank of the Orontes River, about 55 km (34 mi) to the northwest of Hama, Syria, overlooking the Ghab valley. Originally named Pharmake, it was fortified and enlarged by Seleucus I Nicator in 300 B.C., who renamed it after his Bactrian wife, Apama. The fortress was placed upon a hill; the windings of the Orontes, with the lake and marshes, gave it a peninsular form. Seleucus had his commissariat there with 500 elephants, 30,000 mares, and 300 stallions. The pretender, Diodotus Tryphon, made Apameia the basis of his operations. Located at a strategic crossroads for Eastern commerce, the city flourished to the extent that its population eventually numbered half a million. It was one of the four cities of the Syrian tetrapolis, boasted one of the largest theaters in the Roman world, and a monumental colonnade. |  |
Judaean Kingdom, John Hyrcanus I (Yehohanan), 134 - 104 B.C., For the Seleukid King Antiochus VII
Hendin lists four varieties of this type AΠP (year 181) below (Hendin 6165), AΠP (year 181) beside the anchor on left (Hendin 6165a), BΠP (year 182) below (Hendin 6165b), and BΠP (year 182) beside the anchor on left (Hendin 6165c). Houghton and Lorber list a variety without a date (Houghton-Lorber 2123), but the date is probably just off flan, as on this example.JD114827. Bronze prutah, Houghton-Lorber II 2123, Hendin 6165, HGC 9 1103, Meshorer TJC p. 30, F, dark patina, highlighting earthen deposits,, weight 2.626 g, maximum diameter 15.8 mm, die axis 0o, Jerusalem mint, 132 - 130 B.C.; obverse lily on stem with two leaves, dot border; reverse BAΣIΛEΩΣ ANTIOXOY EYEPΓETOY (Greek: of King Antiochus, Benefactor), anchor (Seleukid symbol) upside down, AΠP or BΠP (Greek: year 181 or 182 of the Seleucid Era) below (off flan); $120.00 (€112.80)
Judaean Kingdom, John Hyrcanus I (Yehohanan), 134 - 104 B.C., For the Seleukid King Antiochus VII
Hendin lists four varieties of this type AΠP (year 181) below (Hendin 6165), AΠP (year 181) beside the anchor on left (Hendin 6165a), BΠP (year 182) below (Hendin 6165b), and BΠP (year 182) beside the anchor on left (Hendin 6165c). Houghton and Lorber list a variety without a date (Houghton-Lorber 2123), but the date is probably just off flan, as on this example.JD111418. Bronze prutah, Houghton-Lorber II 2123, Hendin 6165, HGC 9 1103, Meshorer TJC p. 30, F, well centered, dark patina, earthen deposits, tiny edge cracks, obv. edge beveled, weight 2.792 g, maximum diameter 15.1 mm, die axis 0o, Jerusalem mint, 132 - 130 B.C.; obverse lily on stem with two leaves, dot border; reverse BAΣIΛEΩΣ ANTIOXOY EYEPΓETOY (Greek: of King Antiochus, Benefactor), anchor, upside down, AΠP or BΠP (Greek: year 181 or 182 of the Seleucid Era) below; $110.00 (€103.40)
Seleukid Kingdom, Antiochus VI Dionysus, 144 - c. 142 B.C.
After his father was deposed by Demetrius II, the general Diodotus Tryphon nominated Antiochus VI as king. He gained the allegiance of most of the Seleucid domain, including Judaea, but was actually only a puppet of the general. He died after "ruling" for two years. He was likely assassinated under orders from Tryphon, who then made himself king.GY112984. Bronze serrated AE 21, Houghton-Lorber II 2006, HGC 9 143 (C-S), VF/F, well centered, green patina, reverse a little rough, central dimples, weight 6.882 g, maximum diameter 21.1 mm, die axis 0o, Antioch (Antakya, Turkey) mint, c. mid-143 - 142 B.C.; obverse radiate head of Antiochos VI right, wearing ivy wreath; obscure countermark; reverse elephant walking left, holding torch in trunk, BAΣIΛEΩΣ ANTIOXOY in two lines above, EΠIΦANOYΣ ΔIONYΣOY in two lines in exergue, ΣTA over uncertain second control symbol right; $100.00 (€94.00)
Judaean Kingdom, John Hyrcanus I (Yehohanan), 134 - 104 B.C., For the Seleukid King Antiochus VII
Struck by John Hyrcanus, King of Judaea, in the name of the Seleukid King Antiochos VII, Euergetes (Sidetes). John Hyrcanus was the son of Simon the Maccabee and nephew of the folk hero Judah Maccabee, the hero of the Hanukkah story. Soon after Hyrcanus assumed power, the Seleukid king marched on Jerusalem. Antiochus VII and Hyrcanus I negotiated a treaty that left Hyrcanus a vassal to the Syrian king. Probably as a conciliatory gesture to the Jews, the lily (a symbol of Jerusalem) replaced the head of the Seleukid king. Later, John Hyrcanus would be the first Jewish ruler to issue coins in his own name.JD114829. Bronze prutah, Hendin 6165a, Houghton-Lorber II 2123(2)b, SNG Spaer 2134, Houghton CSE 832, HGC 9 1103, Meshorer TJC p. 30, VF/F, earthen encrustations, obv. edge beveled, tiny edge splits, weight 2.197 g, maximum diameter 14.9 mm, die axis 0o, Jerusalem mint, 132 - 131 B.C.; obverse lily on stem with two leaves, dot border; reverse anchor (Seleukid symbol) upside down, AΠP (Greek: 181 [year of Seleukid Era]) upward inner right, BAΣIΛEΩΣ ANTIOXOY (Greek: of King Antiochus) in two lines upward on left, EYEPΓETOY (Greek: Benefactor) upward on right; $100.00 (€94.00)
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