SELEUCID KINGDOM. Demetrius II Nicator, second reign (129-125 BC). AR tetradrachm (30mm, 16.26 gm, 1h). NGC Choice VF 5/5 - 3/5. Damascus, dated Seleucid Era 185 (128/7 BC). Diademed, bearded head of Demetrius II right, touseled locks on crown of head, diadem ends falling straight behind; bead-and-reel border / BAΣIΛEΩΣ / ΔHMHTPIOY | ΘEOY / NIKA-TOPOΣ, Zeus seated left on backless throne, right leg drawn back, feet on ground line, Nike left in right hand, scepter in left; HΔ monogram in outer left field, ΠΑY monogram below throne, EΠΡ (date) in exergue. SC 2181.5. Ex Alain Weil, private sale with old dealer envelope After spending nearly a decade in Parthian captivity, Demetrius II was released in a move to sow discord within the ranks of the invading Seleucid army of his brother and successor, Antiochus VII. The ploy worked beautifully and Antiochus VII was killed in the ensuing military debacle, leaving Demetrius II as sole ruler for the second time. His decade among the Parthians had changed him visibly -- he emerged with a long, flowing beard, much against Greek fashion of the day. His pro-Parthian policies made his countryman regard him as a "Manchurian candidate" out to destroy Seleucid power, leading to his quick downfall and execution. Despite his troubled regime, his coin portraits from the second reign are some of the best in the entire Seleucid series, as evidenced by this splendid tetradrachm.

HID09801242017

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