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SELEUKID EMPIRE. Alexander I Balas. 152-145 BC. AR Tetradrachm (25mm, 14.14 g, 1h). Tyre mint. Dated SE 167 (146/5 BC). Diademed and draped bust right / Eagle standing left on prow left; palm frond behind; to left, club surmounted by Tyre monogram; to right, ZΞP (date) above monogram. SC 1835.6a; HGC 9, 883; DCA2 62. Lightly toned, minor edge scuff and small dig on obverse. Good VF.
From the G. Savonarola Collection. Ex Classical Numismatic Group 93 (22 May 2013), lot 510.
Alexander I Balas was promoted as a rival to the Seleukid king Demetrios I by Attalos II of Pergamon, who had been alienated by Demetrios’ hostility. Soon, Alexander gained the support of the Romans and the Ptolemaic kingdom, and successfully invaded Syria. After Demetrios was killed in battle, Alexander requested a marriage alliance with Ptolemy VI, which was granted. In 150 BC, a royal wedding was held with both kings in attendance, in which Alexander received the hand of Ptolemy’s eldest daughter, Cleopatra Thea. This great event was widely promoted, and commemorated on a rare issue of Seleukid tetradrachms and bronze with the royal couple on the obverse, as well as on a Ptolemaic issue of gold staters with Cleopatra’s portrait. The harmony between the empires was short-lived. After the Seleukid empire suffered massive defeats in the east to the Parthians and Elymaians, Demetrios II, son of Demetrios I, invaded Koile-Syria. As the Seleukids rallied to Demetrios, Ptolemy, recognizing Alexander’s weakness, gave his support to the new king. After finally meeting Demetrios in battle, Alexander was defeated and fled to Arabia, where he was murdered.
The final winners of all CNG Feature Auction 129 lots will be determined during the live online sale that will be held on 13-14 May 2025. This lot is in Session One, which will begin 13 May at 9 AM ET.
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