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Search Advanced Search Search By Coin ID     Home ANCIENT/BYZANTINE Ancient Spain (872) Byzantine (753) MEDIEVAL/EARLY WORLD Germany (30) MODERN WORLD COUNTERFEITS AND IMITATIONS   Submit New Coin(s)   Sponsors page Terms of Service Contact Us About Us FAQ Page Coin Detail Click here to see enlarged image. ID:     778191      [UNVERIFIED] Type:     Greek Region:     SELEUCID KINGDOM Issuer:     Alexander I Balas Date Ruled:     152-145 BC Metal:     Silver Denomination:     Tetradrachm Date Struck:     BC Marriage commemorative, 150 Diameter:     33 mm Weight:     16.81 g Die Axis:     12 h Obverse Description:     Jugate bust of Cleopatra Thea (as Tyche), veiled, diademed, wearing kalathos, cornucopiae over her shoulder, and head of Alexander, diademed, right; A behind Reverse Description:     Zeus Nikephoros seated left; Nike stands facing, holding a thunderbolt Mint:     Ake-Ptolemais Primary Reference:     Houghton, Double 16-20 var. (A3/P- Reference2:     unlisted rev. die) Reference3:     SNG Spaer 1483 Reference4:     Houghton 407 (same obv. die); SNG Cop 267 (same obv. die); Jameson 1715; Boston MFA Supp. 280 Photograph Credit:     Classical Numismatic Group Source:     http://www.cngcoins.com/Coin.aspx?CoinID=94592 Grade:     EF, lightly toned, with underlying luster, minute die shift Notes:     Very rare. From the Richard Winokur Collection.Alexander I Balas was promoted as a rival to the Seleukid king Demetrios I by a 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 this 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 Coele-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.

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