KINGS of PERGAMON. Philetairos. 282-263 BC. AR Tetradrachm (29mm, 16.48 g, 12h). Pergamon mint. Struck circa 269/8-263 BC. Near VF.

Triton XXIX
Lot: 207. Estimated: $ 1 500

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

Sold For $ 2 500. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

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KINGS of PERGAMON. Philetairos. 282-263 BC. AR Tetradrachm (29mm, 16.48 g, 12h). Pergamon mint. Struck circa 269/8-263 BC. Diademed head of Seleukos I right / ΦIΛETAIPOY, Athena, wearing crested Corinthian helmet and long chiton, enthroned left, extending right hand to hold shield decorated with gorgoneion to left, left arm cradling long scepter and resting on throne back; to outer left, head of Athena left, wearing crested Corinthian helmet; crescent in exergue. Ingvaldsen, Philetaerus 2, dies I/2 = Newell, Pergamene, 10 (dies XII/24); SC 309.2; Gulbenkian 966 (same dies); Westmoreland 40 (this coin). Toned, minor marks and scratches, a few trace deposits on obverse, roughness on reverse. Near VF. Very rare, only one in SCO, one in CoinArchives.

From the Westmoreland Collection. Ex Peus 360 (27 April 1999), lot 201; Numismatic Fine Arts [XXI] (12 October 1988), lot 387.

When Lysimachos established the mint of Pergamon, he entrusted its treasury to the eunuch Philetairos. Philetairos changed his allegiance to Seleukos I, probably shortly before the Battle of Korupedion in 281 BC, where Seleukos defeated Lysimachos. Although Seleukos was assassinated the following year, Philetairos struck a series of Alexander-type issues in the name of Seleukos. Philetairos continued to acknowledge Seleukid primacy for some time, but soon struck a coinage in his own name. This coinage featured Athena Nikephoros on the reverse, similar to the reverses of Lysimachos. Perhaps because this move might have been viewed as a threat by his Seleukid overlord, the obverse of the first issues of these coins featured the portrait of Seleukos I. Houghton & Lorber (SC), citing Le Rider and Newell, assign this coinage to the aftermath of Antiochos I's victory over the Galatians, circa 269/8 BC. Near the end of Philetairos’ reign, in the mid-late 260s, the portrait of Seleukos was replaced with the portrait of the Pergamene king, noting a final break from Seleukid authority. Similar to what was done in Ptolemaic Egypt, all of the subsequent kings of Pergamon continued to use these types on the coinage, and even kept the name of Philetairos. Distinguishing the issues between the various rulers has been difficult for numismatists. Westermark’s die study of the coinage, however, provided the key necessary for understanding the series, although more recent hoard evidence has refined Westermark’s assignment of the issues.

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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