107, Lot: 89. Estimate $75. Sold for $45. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

SELEUKID KINGS of SYRIA. Demetrios II Nikator. First reign, 146/5-139 BC. AR Drachm (16mm, 3.85 gm, 1h). Uncertain mint in Northern Syria (Syria Seleukis). Dated SE 172 (141/0 BC). Diademed head right / [BASILEWS] DHMHTRI[OU] QEOU FILADELFO[U] NIKATORO[S], cornucopiae; to inner right, SI above B[OP] (date). SNG Spaer 1633; Babelon -; BMC Seleucid -; Houghton 875. Near VF, toned, porous. Very rare.

This coin is part of a very rare series of dated drachms struck from an uncertain mint in Northern Syria (Syria Seleukis), apparently denoted by the SI monogram on the coins. There are coins known for the years SE 171-174, but the purpose of this series is currently unknown.