The New York Sale
Auction 30 9 January 2013
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ANCIENT COINS. GREEK. Kingdom of Syria, Seleucid Kings, Alexander I Balas, with Cleopatra Thea (152-145 B.C.), Silver Tetradrachm, 17.04g, 11h. Mint of Ake-Ptolemais, struck c.150 B.C. Diademed and veiled bust of Cleopatra Thea, as Tyche, wearing a pendant earring, pearl necklace, kalathos and with a cornucopiae over her shoulder, jugate to right with the diademed bust of Alexander Balas, A behind heads. Rev. [BA]ΣIΛEΩΣ [A]ΛEΞANΔPOY ΘEOΠATOPOΣ EYEPΓETOY, Zeus enthroned left, holding a sceptre in his left hand and a facing figure of Nike in his outstretched right, who holds a thunderbolt (Houghton & Lorber, SC, 1841; SNG Spaer 1483; Jameson 1715; Boston Supp. 280 (this obverse die)). Two portraits of the finest style for this issue, a few light marks, otherwise well-struck and lightly toned, extremely fine. Very rare, a Hellenistic masterpiece.
Ex Bonhams 7, 1982, lot 202
Ex Abramowitz Family Collection, Superior, 8 December 1993, lot 344
This impressive issue was struck to commemorate the marriage of Alexander Balas to Cleopatra Thea in c.150 B.C. Cleopatra Thea (c.164-121 B.C.), the daughter of Ptolemy VI and Cleopatra II of Egypt, played an important role in the Seleucid monarchy, while also leading a rather complicated and turbulent existence. Her union with Alexander I produced a child, Antiochos VI. Alexander was killed in 145 B.C., after which Cleopatra married Demetrios II and bore him their sons Seleukos V and Antiochos VIII. Demetrios was later captured by the Parthians, whereupon Cleopatra married Antiochos VII; their son was Antiochos IX. Demetrios was released by the Parthians only to be murdered on the orders of Cleopatra Thea in 125 B.C. She then arranged for the death of her son Seleukos V, who had succeeded Demetrios, before attempting to place herself as ruler of Syria, along with her son Antiochos VIII. After attempting to also remove him, she was forced to take her own life in 121 B.C.
The above example was one of the first two of this issue to be discovered in the late 19th Century.
Estimate: $20,000
Ex Bonhams 7, 1982, lot 202
Ex Abramowitz Family Collection, Superior, 8 December 1993, lot 344
This impressive issue was struck to commemorate the marriage of Alexander Balas to Cleopatra Thea in c.150 B.C. Cleopatra Thea (c.164-121 B.C.), the daughter of Ptolemy VI and Cleopatra II of Egypt, played an important role in the Seleucid monarchy, while also leading a rather complicated and turbulent existence. Her union with Alexander I produced a child, Antiochos VI. Alexander was killed in 145 B.C., after which Cleopatra married Demetrios II and bore him their sons Seleukos V and Antiochos VIII. Demetrios was later captured by the Parthians, whereupon Cleopatra married Antiochos VII; their son was Antiochos IX. Demetrios was released by the Parthians only to be murdered on the orders of Cleopatra Thea in 125 B.C. She then arranged for the death of her son Seleukos V, who had succeeded Demetrios, before attempting to place herself as ruler of Syria, along with her son Antiochos VIII. After attempting to also remove him, she was forced to take her own life in 121 B.C.
The above example was one of the first two of this issue to be discovered in the late 19th Century.
Estimate: $20,000