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Coin Detail
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ID:     74000162
     [UNVERIFIED]
Type:     Greek
Region:     MACEDONIAN KINGS
Issuer:     Demetrius Poliorcetes
Date Ruled:     306-283 BC
Metal:     Silver
Denomination:     Drachm
Struck / Cast:     struck
Date Struck:     BC 301-295
Weight:     4.28 g
Die Axis:     5 h
Obverse Description:     Head of Herakles right, wearing lion skin
Reverse Legend:     ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΔΗΜΗΤΡΙΟΥ
Reverse Description:     Zeus AËtophoros seated left; in left field, ram’s head left above monogram
Mint:     Uncertain Western Asia Minor
Primary Reference:     cf. Newell 64 (tetradrachm)
Reference2:     SNG MÜnchen -
Reference3:     cf. SNG Alpha Bank 947 (tetradrachm)
Reference4:     cf. Triton IX, 828 (tetradrachm); cf. Meydancikkale 1814 (same obv. die; in name of Alexander)
Photograph Credit:     Classical Numismatic Group
Source:     http://www.cngcoins.com/Coin.aspx?CoinID=96575
Grade:     Good VF
Notes:     Unpublished as a drachm. 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, 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.