34 / 166
TYRANT COLLECTION
32
76
Seleucid Kings of Syria
Silver Tetradrachm (15.61 g), 94-93 BC
Antiochos XI with Philip I Philadelphus, Seleucid King, 94-93 BC
SC 2437; HGC 9; Hougton, SNR 66. Superb Extremely Fine.
Uncertain mint in Cilicia, likely Tarsus, ca. late 94 – early 93 BC. Diademed and jugate heads right
of Antiochus in foreground and Philip, both lightly bearded. Rev. Zeus enthroned l. holding Nike in
r. hand and grounded long lotus-tipped scepter in l. Two exceptional portraits in sculptural high relief.
Extremely rare.
Proclaiming their joint kingship, the twin brothers, known as “brother-lovers”, struck a rare series of
silver tetradrachms bearing their jugate portraits, this example being one of the finest known. In early 93
BC, in a battle against his cousin, Antiochus XI fell into the Orantes river and drowned leaving Philip
Philadelphus as sole survivor to reign until his death in 76/75 BC.
77
Parthian Kingdom
Silver Tetradrachm (16.71 g), 246-238 BC
Andragoras, Satrap and self-proclaimed King of Parthia, 246-238 BC
Mitchiner 20; BMC 3-4, pl. xxviii, 2-3. Extremely Fine.
Mint of Hekatompylos. Turreted head of Tyche r. wearing pendant earring and necklace; monogram
of Andragoras behind. Rev. ΑΝΔΡΑΓΟΡΟΥ Athena standing l. wearing helmet, long chiton and
himation holding owl on extended hand and resting on a shield, transverse spear behind. One of only a
few examples known.
During what appeared to be the imminent collapse of the Seleucid Empire, when Ptolemy III of Egypt
seized control of the capital from Seleukos II, Andragoras seceded from the empire and made his area of
the northern region of Parthia into an independent kingdom. Andragoras was unable to maintain control
of this area and was defeated by Arsakes and his brother Tiridates.