Nomos AG
obolos 24 21 Aug 2022
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SYRIA, Coele-Syria. Chalkis ad Libanon. Lysanias, tetrarch, 40-36 BC. (Bronze, 21.5 mm, 4.77 g, 12 h). Diademed head of Lysanias to right; monogram of ΠΤΟ below chin; c/m: either of a sun with downward rays or a monogram of ΦΙΛιππιΟν within a rectangular indent. Rev. ΛΥΣΑΝΙΟΥ ΤΕΤΡΑΡΧΟΥ ΚΑΙ ΑΡΧΙΕΡΕΩΣ Athena standing left, holding Nike in right hand and resting left on shield at her side; in right field, monogram of ΦΑ. BMC 6-7. Herman 12a. RPC I 4770. SNG Copenhagen 415-6. Sofaer 40-2. Dark green patina with earthen highlights. A few cleaning marks, and with some striking flatness on the reverse, otherwise, very fine.
The countermark on the obverse of this coin has been identified as just a symbol, but the suggestion by Herman that it refers to Lysanias's murdered brother Philippion has a good deal of merit. He was apparently murdered by his father Ptolemy out of jealousy over the favors of Alexandra, daughter of the Hasmonean king Aristobulus II; after Ptolemy's death in 40, Lysanias arranged for the monogram of his dead brother's name to be placed on his own coinage.
The countermark on the obverse of this coin has been identified as just a symbol, but the suggestion by Herman that it refers to Lysanias's murdered brother Philippion has a good deal of merit. He was apparently murdered by his father Ptolemy out of jealousy over the favors of Alexandra, daughter of the Hasmonean king Aristobulus II; after Ptolemy's death in 40, Lysanias arranged for the monogram of his dead brother's name to be placed on his own coinage.