★ Rare date ★
SELEUKID KINGDOM: Demetrios I Soter (162-150 BCE), AR drachm, dated SE 159 (154/3 BCE). Antioch, 3.94g, 17mm.
Obv: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΔΗΜΗΤΡΙΟΥ ΣΩΤΗΡΟΣ; Diademed head right
Rev: Cornucopia; below, monograms above ΘNΡ (date).
SNG Spaer 1272-3, SC 1642.1a
From the JB (Edmonton) collection.
Rare date.
Demetrios is infamous in Jewish history for having defeated the Maccabees. In the year this coin was issued, enemies of Demetrios presented Alexander Balas to the Senate in Rome, who agreed to support the usurper. Demetrios fell in battle against Balas three years later.