KINGS of MACEDON. Demetrios I Poliorketes. 306-283 BC. AR Tetradrachm (28mm, 17.26 g, 1h). Pella mint. Struck circa 294-293 BC. Superb EF.

Triton XXVII
Lot: 161. Estimated: $ 5 000

Greek, Coin-in-Hand Video, Silver

Sold For $ 5 000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

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KINGS of MACEDON. Demetrios I Poliorketes. 306-283 BC. AR Tetradrachm (28mm, 17.26 g, 1h). Pella mint. Struck circa 294-293 BC. Nike standing left on prow of galley left, blowing trumpet she holds in her right hand and cradling stylis in her left arm / BA-ΣIΛEΩ-Σ ΔHMHTPIOY, Poseidon Pelagaios standing left, seen from behind, preparing to throw trident held aloft in his right hand, chlamys draped over extended left arm; monogram to left; to right, dolphin left above star. Newell 68, obv. die LVII; HGC 3, 1012e; SNG München 1042 var. (no dolphin; same obv. die); Dewing 1196 (same obv. die). Toned and lustrous, minor obverse die wear and rust, faint scratches, trace deposits. Superb EF. An exceptionally detailed reverse.

Ex North River Collection; Triton IV (5 December 2000), lot 177.

The most dashing of Alexander the Great's successors, Demetrios I Poliorketes was the son of the Macedonian general Antigonos Monopthalmos ("one-eyed"), who served both Philip II and Alexander III the Great. After Alexander's death, Demetrios led armies in support of his father's claim to supreme power. He won a major naval victory in 306 BC at Salamis against the Ptolemaic fleet and, along with his father, accepted the title Basileos ("king"), ending the fiction that the Diadochi were ruling a united government. This dynamic tetradrachm type, with its depiction of Nike alighting on a prow perhaps inspired by (or inspiring) the famous “Nike of Samothrace” statue, celebrates the victory at Salamis and makes it clear that the foundation of his power rests on his naval forces. Poseidon was Demetrios's patron god, and appeared on the coinages of many of the cities he founded or conquered during his campaigns in Greece.

The final winners of all Triton XXVII lots will be determined at the live public sale that will be held on 9-10 January 2024.

Triton XXVII – Session One – Lot 1-337 will be held Tuesday morning, 9 January 2024 beginning at 9:00 AM ET.

Winning bids are subject to a 22.5% buyer's fee for bids placed on this website and 25% for all others.

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