SELEUKID EMPIRE. Tryphon. Circa 142-138 BC. AR Tetradrachm (30.5mm, 15.17 g, 11h). Antioch on the Orontes mint. Good VF.

Triton XXIX
Lot: 324. Estimated: $ 5 000

Greek, Coin-in-Hand Video, Silver

Sold For $ 10 000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

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SELEUKID EMPIRE. Tryphon. Circa 142-138 BC. AR Tetradrachm (30.5mm, 15.17 g, 11h). Antioch on the Orontes mint. Diademed head right / BAΣIΛEΩΣ TPYΦΩNOΣ AYTOKPATOPOΣ, spiked Macedonian helmet right, with cheek guards, and adorned with wild goat’s horn above visor; monogram to inner right. Cf. SC 2032 (drachm); Seyrig –; SMA –; HGC 9, –; cf. SNG Berry 1380 (same). Some roughness, light cleaning marks, small flan flaw on reverse, minor chipping around edge. Good VF. Unpublished tetradrachm with helmet facing right.

A military commander and leading supporter of the usurper Alexander I Balas, Diodotos (Tryphon) placed Antiochos VI on the Seleukid throne following Balas' death. Two years later, upon the death of the young king, Diodotos took the throne himself, supposedly upon the acclamation of his troops. Unlike previous usurpers, Diodotos did not fabricate his lineage into the Seleukid house, but maintained that the Seleukid line had ended, and his was the beginning of a new era. He broke tradition by assuming the title autocrat rather than king, and took the name Tryphon ('the luxurious'). His reign proved very unpopular, and a new Seleukid claimant, Antiochos VII Sidetes, rose up against him. Within three years, Tryphon was defeated and killed.

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 Two – Lot 302-613 will be held Tuesday afternoon, 13 January 2026 beginning at 2:00 PM 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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