Last of the Seleukid Kings

Sale: CNG 76, Lot: 3102. Estimate $750.  Closing Date: Wednesday, 12 September 2007.  Sold For $850. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

SELEUKID KINGS of SYRIA. Antiochos XIII Philadelphos (Asiatikos). 69/8-67 or 65/4 BC. AR Tetradrachm (15.14 g, 1h). Antioch mint. Diademed head right / Zeus Nikephoros seated left; monogram to inner left, P below throne; all within wreath. SNG Spaer 2919 var. (same obverse die; no P on rev.); SMA 461. VF, toned, light porosity. Rare.

From the John A. Seeger Collection.

Antiochos XIII "Asiatikos" was the last of the great line of Seleukid kings. He spent his youth in Asia and Rome, and following the withdrawal of Tigranes II from Syria he was placed on the Seleukid throne by the Romans. His reign was very turbulent, and in 64 BC he was ousted by Pompey. Thereafter, Syria became a Roman province.