Extremely Rare Demetrios III Drachm

196, Lot: 56. Estimate $200. Sold for $1000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

SELEUKID KINGS of SYRIA. Demetrios III Eukairos. 97/6-88/7 BC. AR Drachm (16mm, 3.71 g, 12h). Damaskos mint. Dated SE 218 (95/4 BC). Diademed head right / Nike advancing left, holding wreath and palm; Δ to outer left, HIΣ in exergue. SC 2452.2 (this coin referenced); cf. Houghton & Spaer 1-3 (SE 217, different control mark). VF, toned, light scratches on obverse. Extremely rare Demetrios III drachm.

This is the fourth known drachm for Demetrios III, and the only one dated to SE 218 (95/4 BC). Of the three recorded, two are in private collections in the U.S. (one is ex Spink 65, 5 October 1988, lot 89), and the third is the SNG Spaer specimen. The ANS records a drachm for Demetrios III, accession no. 1991.78.70, but has no reference, no mint recorded, and a reverse type of Zeus enthroned -- possibly an erroneous entry, and not recorded by Houghton & Spaer. Damaskos was Demetrios' base of operations, and his principal mint. All four of his known drachms were issued there.