CNG 99, Lot: 337. Estimate $500. Sold for $700. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

SELEUKID KINGS of SYRIA. Demetrios I Soter. 162-150 BC. AR Tetradrachm (31mm, 16.32 g, 1h). Antioch on the Orontes mint. Undated issue, struck circa 162-155/4 BC. Diademed head right, with slight beard, within laurel wreath / Tyche, fully clothed, holding baton and cornucopia, seated left on cippus decorated with winged Tritoness; monogram to outer left. SC 1637c; HGC 9, 796. Good VF, toned, light marks and scratches. Rare issue with bearded portrait.

This rare bearded portrait type is known on a short series of tetradrachms struck at Antioch (SC 1636-7). It is thought that the beard may be associated to Demetrios’ campaign in the east against Timarchos (see SC Part II, p. 165).