Roma Numismatics Ltd
Auction XXVII 22-23 Mar 2023
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Seleukid Empire, Demetrios I Soter, with Laodike IV, AR Tetradrachm. Seleukia on the Tigris, circa 161-150 BC. Jugate busts of Demetrios, diademed, and Laodike, draped and wearing stephane, to right within fillet border / Tyche seated to left on backless throne supported by tritoness, holding short sceptre and cornucopiae, ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ to right, ΔΗΜΗΤΡΙΟY to left, ΣΩΤΗΡΟΣ in exergue; PH monogram and palm branch to outer left. SC 1689.1; HGC 9, 799; NAC 78, 328 (inferior specimen - hammer: CHF 18,000). 17.07g, 30mm, 2h.
Near Extremely Fine. Very Rare; among the most sought-after issues from the reign Demetrios, and the finest example to be offered at auction in more than 2 decades.
The jugate busts of Demetrios I and Laodike displayed on the obverse of this coin explain why tetradrachms of this type were sometimes referred to as 'marriage' tetradrachms. The time and location in which these coins were minted is significant: the mint in Seleukeia-on-the-Tigris only started to mint coins for Demetrios and his wife after the defeat of Timarchos in 161 BC. Timarchos, a Greek nobleman who was appointed as satrap to Media under the reign of Antiochos IV, took advantage of the confusion which marked the death of Antiochos in 164 BC and the subsequent instating of a new ruler, to take full control of his region. He declared himself king of Media and nearby Babylonia in 162 BC, the same year that Demetrios took his rightful place on the Seleukid throne. Demetrios made deposing the unlawful despot a priority upon coming to power and defeated Timarchos' troops in 161 BC. Given the prominence of Laodike on the coinage of this period, Seleukid Coins (Houghton, Lorber & Hoover, 2008) suggests that her marriage to Demetrios took place in Seleukeia swiftly after the defeat of Timarchos and these commemorative coins marked a celebration of the lawful king over an area so recently ruled by a usurper.
Near Extremely Fine. Very Rare; among the most sought-after issues from the reign Demetrios, and the finest example to be offered at auction in more than 2 decades.
The jugate busts of Demetrios I and Laodike displayed on the obverse of this coin explain why tetradrachms of this type were sometimes referred to as 'marriage' tetradrachms. The time and location in which these coins were minted is significant: the mint in Seleukeia-on-the-Tigris only started to mint coins for Demetrios and his wife after the defeat of Timarchos in 161 BC. Timarchos, a Greek nobleman who was appointed as satrap to Media under the reign of Antiochos IV, took advantage of the confusion which marked the death of Antiochos in 164 BC and the subsequent instating of a new ruler, to take full control of his region. He declared himself king of Media and nearby Babylonia in 162 BC, the same year that Demetrios took his rightful place on the Seleukid throne. Demetrios made deposing the unlawful despot a priority upon coming to power and defeated Timarchos' troops in 161 BC. Given the prominence of Laodike on the coinage of this period, Seleukid Coins (Houghton, Lorber & Hoover, 2008) suggests that her marriage to Demetrios took place in Seleukeia swiftly after the defeat of Timarchos and these commemorative coins marked a celebration of the lawful king over an area so recently ruled by a usurper.