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The Insurrection of Bassus

446658. Sold For $895

SYRIA, Seleucis and Pieria. Antioch. AR Tetradrachm (26mm, 15.74 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 / [∫`]%5¬E[W%] [f]5¬5∏∏o[¨] E∏5f`@o¨[%] [f5]¬`dE[¬fo¨], Zeus Nikephoros seated left; ¨ to inner left, @ below throne, ∆ and winged thunderbolt in exergue; all within wreath. McAlee 5b; Prieur 5; RPC I 4128; SC 2491.2; HGC 9, 1360. EF, toned, minor green deposits on the reverse. Rare.


Ex RBW Collection (Classical Numismatic Group Electronic Auction 364, 2 December 2015), lot 304; Heritage Long Beach Signature Sale 3020 (6 September 2012), lot 25073 (hammer of $1400).

Struck during the time of Q. Caecilius Bassus’ governorship. Bassus, a supporter of Pompey, had led an insurrection against Sextus Pompey, cousin of Julius Caesar and governor of Syria since 48 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.