★ Of the utmost importance ★

Seleukid Kingdom. Antiochos XI Epiphanes Philadelphos and Philip I Philadelphos. Silver Tetradrachm (15.8 g), circa 94-93 BC. Uncertain mint 127, in Cilicia (probably at Tarsos). Jugate and diademed heads of Antiochos XI and Philip I right. Reverse: BAΣIΛEΩΣ ANTIOΧOY KAI BAΣIΛEΩΣ ΦIΛIΠΠOY, Zeus enthroned left, holding Nike and scepter; in outer left field, monogram above A; below throne, Φ; all within laurel wreath. SC 2438 (same obv. die); HGC 9, 1297 (same obv. die). Extremely Rare and of the utmost importance. One of just three known examples and the only example with clear controls. Attractive light silvery toning over matte like surfaces which are virtually as struck. Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $15,000 - UP
In the early first century BC, the Seleukid Empire was dying. Not a "go gentle into that good night sort of death," but a loud crashing doom, attended by flame and the spilling of blood. In 94 BC, Seleukos VI Epiphanes had been driven out of Syria by his uncle, Antiochos X Eusebes, and began to regroup at Mopsos, his base in Cilicia. Unfortunately, the harsh measures he used to raise money for a new round of warfare against Antiochos X turned the Mopsians against him and Seleucus VI was burned alive in his palace. When news of this shocking development reached his brothers, Antiochus XI and Philip I, they marched out of their own Cilician base, possibly at Tarsos, and sacked Mopsos in revenge.

Once the Mopsians had been dealt with, Antiochos XI and Philip I then began to plan the fall of their uncle and the recapture of Antioch. While Philip I remained in Cilicia, in 94/3 BC, Antiochos XI entered Syria and briefly expelled Antiochos X from Antioch. Alas, the latter soon returned with a new army and Antiochos XI was drowned during a battle on the banks of the Orontes River. Philip I only managed to seize the Syrian capital after the death of his uncle and the capture of his third (and rival) brother, Demetrios III Eukairos, by the Parthians in ca. 88 BC, but by then, the Seleukid Empire consisted of very little else but the city of Antioch and its surrounding territory. Under Philip I, the once-great creation of Seleukos I crawled into its coffin. All that remained was to wait for the Romans and the nails.

The present extremely rare tetradrachm depicting and naming both of the brothers was struck in Cilicia, most likely to pay for the services of the mercenary army that destroyed Mopsos. Although this type was described as an unattributed Cilician issue in Seleucid Coins: A Comprehensive Catalogue due to the indistinguishable left field controls on SC 2438, the controls are crystal clear on this unpublished specimen, showing that the issue does indeed belong to the output of Uncertain Mint 127, probably to be identified with Tarsos.
Ex Tareq Hani Collection.