The Insurrection of Bassus

449, Lot: 287. Estimate $300. Sold for $300. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

SELEUCIS and PIERIA, Antioch. temp. Q. Caecilius Bassus. Proconsul, 46-44 BC. AR Tetradrachm (26mm, 15.19 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 and below throne, ∆ (date) and thunderbolt in exergue; all within wreath. Prieur 5; McAlee 5a; RPC I 4128; SC 2491.2; HGC 9, 1360b. Lightly toned, minor deposits, thin flan crack, graffiti in obverse field. Near EF.

Ex VAuctions 320 (16 September 2016), lot 367.

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.