KINGS of MACEDON. Demetrios I Poliorketes. 306-283 BC. AR Tetradrachm (29.5mm, 16.71 g, 12h). Salamis mint. Struck circa 300-295 BC. VF.

Triton XXIX
Lot: 141. Estimated: $ 2 000

Greek, 12h, Coin-in-Hand Video, Silver

Sold For $ 8 500. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

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KINGS of MACEDON. Demetrios I Poliorketes. 306-283 BC. AR Tetradrachm (29.5mm, 16.71 g, 12h). Salamis mint. Struck circa 300-295 BC. Nike, wearing long chiton, standing left on prow of galley left, blowing trumpet she holds in her right hand and cradling stylis in her left arm / BA-ΣIΛE-ΩΣ ΔHMHTPIOY, Poseidon Pelagaios, nude, standing left, seen from behind, preparing to throw trident held aloft in his right hand, chlamys draped over extended left arm; monogram to left and right. Newell 22, obv. die XXI; HGC 3, 1012a. Deep iridescent tone, minor roughness and doubling on reverse. VF.

From the W. Toliver Besson Collection. Ex Hunter Collection (Goldberg 72, 5 February 2013), lot 4053; Numismatic Fine Arts IX (10 December 1980), lot 178.

Demetrios I Poliorketes was the son of one of Alexander's greatest generals, Antigonos I Monophthalmos. Antigonos was arguably the strongest of Alexander’s followers, the Diadochs, at one time ruling over all of Alexander's eastern territories from Asia Minor to Baktria, except for Egypt. Antigonos’ success led him to be the first Diadoch to crown himself king, in 306 BC. By that time, Demetrios was an active participant in his father's wars and was also crowned king along with his father. Fearing Antigonos’ growing power, the other Diadochs allied themselves against him, and finally defeated and killed him at the battle of Ipsos in 301 BC. Following Ipsos, Demetrios continued to battle the other Diadochs, and although he won numerous victories, he was usually unable to maintain his control over his conquests afterward. His epithet, Poliorketes ('besieger of cities') was earned following his siege of Rhodes. While that siege ultimately failed, it featured a number of elaborate siege engines which had become a hallmark of Demetrios' style of warfare. Demetrios was eventually abandoned by his army, and he subsequently surrendered to Seleukos I of Syria in 288 BC. Demetrios died in captivity five years later.

The final winners of all Triton XXIX lots will be determined at the live public sale that will be held on 13-14 January 2026.

Triton XXIX – Session One – Lot 1-301 will be held Tuesday morning, 13 January 2026 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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