Ancients PERGAMENE KINGDOM. Philetaerus (284-263 BC). AR

Ancients
PERGAMENE KINGDOM. Philetaerus (284-263 BC). AR tetradrachm (28mm, 17.00 gm, 11h). NGC Choice AU 5/5 - 3/5, Fine Style, brushed. Posthumous issue of Seleucus I, ca. 269-268 BC. Diademed head of Seleucus I right; dotted border / ΦIΛETAIPOY, Athena enthroned left, resting left elbow on small sphinx seated right, right hand resting on grounded shield at left with gorgoneion boss, transverse spear beyond; ivy leaf above right arm, bow in outer right field. SC 309.5a. Exquisitely dimensional with every feature of the Fine Style devices delicately rendered.

As a trusted general to Lysimachus, Philetaerus was made commander of Pergamum, and its treasury, in 301 BC. However, within a few years, he changed allegiance to a different Macedonian general, and former ally of Lysimachus, Seleucus I. As ruler of this Greek state, Philetaerus faced minimal oversight from the Seleucid Empire, especially after the assassination of Seleucus I, and gradually he began minting coins with his own name. The type featured here is an intriguing example of this transitory period, when Pergamum was still technically loyal to the Seleucid Empire, but beginning to exercise more of its autonomy. The posthumous portrait of Seleucus I is a nod to this tenuous loyalty, but features Philetaerus' personal reverse type with his name and Athena Nicephorus, the kingdom's patron goddess. Eventually, the tetradrachms of this Athena series would use the bust of Philetaerus himself, distinguishing a clearer shift in sovereignty for the kingdom and Attalid dynasty.

https://coins.ha.com/itm/ancients/greek/ancients-pergamene-kingdom-philetaerus-284-263-bc-ar-tetradrachm-28mm-1700-gm-11h-ngc-choice-au-5-5-3-5-/a/3107-30022.s?type=DA-DMC-CoinArchives-WorldCoins-3107-05032023

HID02906262019

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Estimate: 10000-12000 USD