SELEUKID KINGS OF SYRIA. Alexander I Balas, 152-145 BC. (Bronze, 16 mm, 8.20 g, 1 h), quasi-municipal issue, Eupatria (or perhaps Orthosia), uncertain date. Diademed head of Alexander I to right. Rev. ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ ΕΥΠΑΤΡΕΩΝ Athena Alkis advancing right, holding forth shield on left arm and wielding thunderbolt in right hand. HGC 9, 910 (R2). Moore 4-7. SC 1820. Green patina. Earthen deposits, otherwise, fine.

From the Thomas Kirby Collection, USA.

The location of the mint that struck this issue is not certain as no cities named Eupatria existed in Seleukid Syria, Phoenicia or Palestine. It was perhaps located at Orthosia, a Macedonian colony which had been refounded, renamed, and garrisoned by Ptolemaic troops, who at this time supported Alexander I in his war with Demetrios II. The figure of Athena Promachos on the reverse finds precedent on tetradrachms of Antigonos II Gonatas and of Philip V, thus indicating she is the patron goddess of Macedon, Athena Alkis, and further implying that the mint responsible for the issue was originally a Macedonian colony.