SELEUCIS and PIERIA, Antioch. temp. Q. Caecilius Bassus. Proconsul, 46-44 BC. AR Tetradrachm (25mm, 14.85 g, 12h). In the name and types of the Seleucid king Philip I Philadelphus. Dated year 4 of the Caesarean Era (46/5 BC). Diademed head of Philip I right within fillet border / Zeus Nicephorus seated left; monogram to inner left, ∆ (date) and thunderbolt in exergue; all within wreath. McAlee 5a; RPC I 4128; SC 2491.2; Prieur 5; HGC 9, 1360b. Toned, porosity. VF.
Struck during the time of Q. Caecilius Bassus' governorship of Syria. Bassus, a supporter of Pompey, had led an insurrection against Sextus, cousin of Julius Caesar and governor of Syria from 47-46 BC. For two years he fought off attacks from enemy forces, even calling on the Parthians for assistance (Dio 27.5), before finally falling to Cassius, one of the assassins of Caesar.