Numismatica Ars Classica
Auction 126 17 Nov 2021
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Achaeus, 220 – 214
Tetradrachm, Sardis 220-214, AR 16.89 g. Diademed and draped bust r. Rev. ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ - ΑΧΑΙΟΥ Athena Promachos advancing l., holding shield decorated with anchor and hurling spear; in inner l. field, horse's head l. WSM 1440 var. (with control-mark). CSE 608 var. (with control-mark). SC 953 var. (with control-mark)
Of the highest, one of only five known tetradrachms of this ruler. A superb
portrait of excellent Hellenistic style struck on a large flan and with
a light iridescent tone. Minor marks, otherwise good very fine
Ex Gemini I, 2005, 204; Freeman & Sear Fixed price list 12, 2007, 70 and Manhattan II, 2011, 70 sales. From the Peter Guber collection.
The nobleman Achaeus was presented with his first opportunity at kingship in 223 B.C. when his cousin, the reigning Seleucid King Seleucus III, was assassinated in the midst of a campaign in Asia Minor. Achaeus' stern refusal must have earned him the trust and respect of Antiochus III, brother of the deceased Seleucus III, who himself became the next Seleucid King. He thus gave Achaeus authority over Asia Minor, and with it the task of recovering the vast territories that the Seleucid rebel Antiochus Hierax (c.242-227 B.C.) had lost to the Pergamene King Attalus I. Achaeus found quick success in his re-conquests and by 220 had been persuaded to revolt against his cousin Antiochus III, who at the time was busy suppressing a revolt in Babylon. Whereas in 223 the soldiers had been anxious for Achaeus to assume the title of king, this time they proved to be not as supportive, and they resisted his desire to march on Antioch. Instead, he had to placate the troops with raids into Pamphylia and Pisidia in search of spoils. Meanwhile, Attalus I seized the moment to recover some lost properties in Asia Minor and Antiochus III, now freed from his obligations in the East and in treaty with Ptolemy IV, was ready to engage Achaeus and his rebellious troops. In the events that followed Antiochus III was the prime beneficiary: not only did he assume control over most of the territories that Achaeus had recovered, but he trapped his rebellious cousin within the walls of Sardes. The siege began to pay dividends late in 215 or early in 214, and by late 214 it ended with the sacking of Sardes and the capture of Achaeus, who was flayed, beheaded and impaled. Most, if not all, coins of Achaeus are thought to have been struck at Sardes, and are comprised of gold staters, silver tetradrachms, and small bronzes. The precious metal issues are extremely rare, no doubt due to their aggressive confiscation. Achaeus' design choices for his precious metal coins are decidedly non-Seleucid, as they appear to have been inspired by the contemporary issues of the Macedonian King Philip V (221-179 B.C.). Were it not for the Seleucid anchor on the shield of Athena and the control symbol of a horse's head, one might not even suspect these coins were issued by a member of the Seleucid royal house.
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Tetradrachm, Sardis 220-214, AR 16.89 g. Diademed and draped bust r. Rev. ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ - ΑΧΑΙΟΥ Athena Promachos advancing l., holding shield decorated with anchor and hurling spear; in inner l. field, horse's head l. WSM 1440 var. (with control-mark). CSE 608 var. (with control-mark). SC 953 var. (with control-mark)
Of the highest, one of only five known tetradrachms of this ruler. A superb
portrait of excellent Hellenistic style struck on a large flan and with
a light iridescent tone. Minor marks, otherwise good very fine
Ex Gemini I, 2005, 204; Freeman & Sear Fixed price list 12, 2007, 70 and Manhattan II, 2011, 70 sales. From the Peter Guber collection.
The nobleman Achaeus was presented with his first opportunity at kingship in 223 B.C. when his cousin, the reigning Seleucid King Seleucus III, was assassinated in the midst of a campaign in Asia Minor. Achaeus' stern refusal must have earned him the trust and respect of Antiochus III, brother of the deceased Seleucus III, who himself became the next Seleucid King. He thus gave Achaeus authority over Asia Minor, and with it the task of recovering the vast territories that the Seleucid rebel Antiochus Hierax (c.242-227 B.C.) had lost to the Pergamene King Attalus I. Achaeus found quick success in his re-conquests and by 220 had been persuaded to revolt against his cousin Antiochus III, who at the time was busy suppressing a revolt in Babylon. Whereas in 223 the soldiers had been anxious for Achaeus to assume the title of king, this time they proved to be not as supportive, and they resisted his desire to march on Antioch. Instead, he had to placate the troops with raids into Pamphylia and Pisidia in search of spoils. Meanwhile, Attalus I seized the moment to recover some lost properties in Asia Minor and Antiochus III, now freed from his obligations in the East and in treaty with Ptolemy IV, was ready to engage Achaeus and his rebellious troops. In the events that followed Antiochus III was the prime beneficiary: not only did he assume control over most of the territories that Achaeus had recovered, but he trapped his rebellious cousin within the walls of Sardes. The siege began to pay dividends late in 215 or early in 214, and by late 214 it ended with the sacking of Sardes and the capture of Achaeus, who was flayed, beheaded and impaled. Most, if not all, coins of Achaeus are thought to have been struck at Sardes, and are comprised of gold staters, silver tetradrachms, and small bronzes. The precious metal issues are extremely rare, no doubt due to their aggressive confiscation. Achaeus' design choices for his precious metal coins are decidedly non-Seleucid, as they appear to have been inspired by the contemporary issues of the Macedonian King Philip V (221-179 B.C.). Were it not for the Seleucid anchor on the shield of Athena and the control symbol of a horse's head, one might not even suspect these coins were issued by a member of the Seleucid royal house.
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