Heritage World Coin Auctions
CICF Signature Sale 3046 14-15 April 2016
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SELEUCID KINGDOM. Timarchus (usurper, 164-161 BC). Æ Denomination A (30mm, 15.33 gm, 2h). Ecbatana. Diademed head of Timarchus right / ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥ ΤΙΜΑΡΧΟΥ, Nike advancing left, holding palm frond and crowning royal name. SC 1595. HGC 9, 770. Very rare! One of the best surviving examples, with a strong portrait, crisp reverse and pleasing green-earthen patina. NGC XF 4/5 - 3/5. Timarchus was the satrap of Media under Antiochus IV, and moved to seize power in the whole Seleucid King after his patron's death in 164 BC. He secured the eastern reaches of the kingdom, including the important mint city of Ecbatana, and obtained recognition from the Roman Senate as the legitimate ruler in 162 BC. But Demetrius I, brother of Antiochus IV, returned from Roman exile that same year, quickly secured power in Antioch, and marched eastward to confront the usurper. The climactic battle in Babylonia in 161 BC went to Demetrius, and Timarchus was captured and killed. On his rare coins, Timarchus styles himself Basileus Megalos, "Great King," in imitation of contemporary Bactrian and Parthian rulers.
Estimate: 700-1000 USD
SELEUCID KINGDOM. Timarchus (usurper, 164-161 BC). Æ Denomination A (30mm, 15.33 gm, 2h). Ecbatana. Diademed head of Timarchus right / ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥ ΤΙΜΑΡΧΟΥ, Nike advancing left, holding palm frond and crowning royal name. SC 1595. HGC 9, 770. Very rare! One of the best surviving examples, with a strong portrait, crisp reverse and pleasing green-earthen patina. NGC XF 4/5 - 3/5. Timarchus was the satrap of Media under Antiochus IV, and moved to seize power in the whole Seleucid King after his patron's death in 164 BC. He secured the eastern reaches of the kingdom, including the important mint city of Ecbatana, and obtained recognition from the Roman Senate as the legitimate ruler in 162 BC. But Demetrius I, brother of Antiochus IV, returned from Roman exile that same year, quickly secured power in Antioch, and marched eastward to confront the usurper. The climactic battle in Babylonia in 161 BC went to Demetrius, and Timarchus was captured and killed. On his rare coins, Timarchus styles himself Basileus Megalos, "Great King," in imitation of contemporary Bactrian and Parthian rulers.
Estimate: 700-1000 USD