Lot 1923

Description

Mysia, Pergamene Kingdom of Philetairos, (282-263 B.C.), silver tetradrachm, (17.06 grams), obv. head to r., wearing tainia, of the deified Seleucos Nicator, rev. Athena enthroned to l., her r. hand resting on shield, holding spear in l. hand, ivy leaf above and bow to r., (Newell obverse die VIII, No.41, Pl.X,2, ANS NNM 76, unlisted reverse die, S.7216). A strong portrait, very fine/good fine and of great rarity.

Philetairos was appointed by Lysimachus of Thrace to guard the royal treasure of 9000 talents which had been deposited at the fortress city of Pergamon in Mysia. After many years of loyalty to Lysimachus, Philetairos transferred his allegiance to Seleucos. Following his assassination in 280 B.C., he became independent ruler of Pergamon, retaining control of the royal treasury which became the basis of the future prosperity of the Pergamene kingdom. A similar specimen, extremely fine, from the same obverse die but a different reverse die was sold in M & M sale 72 (lot 624) for 84,000 + 10% SFr.