Ancients: SELEUCID KINGDOM. Demetrius II Nicator, second reign (129-125 BC). AR tetradrachm (33mm, 16.71 gm, 1h). NGC Choice AU 5/5 - 4/...

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SELEUCID KINGDOM. Demetrius II Nicator, second reign (129-125 BC). AR tetradrachm (33mm, 16.71 gm, 1h). NGC Choice AU 5/5 - 4/5, Fine Style, brushed. Antioch on the Orontes, 129-128 BC. Diademed head of Demetrius II right, wearing long beard, with tousled locks on crown of head and stubby horn at temple, diadem ends falling straight behind; bead and reel border / ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ / ΔΗΜΗΤΡΙΟΥ / ΘΕΟΥ / NIKA-TOΡOΣ, Zeus seated left on backless throne, grounded scepter in left hand, Nike in right hand extending wreath toward edge of coin; Ξ in left field, O below throne. SC 2166.2c.

From The Paramount Collection

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.

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