SELEUKID KINGS OF SYRIA. Antiochos IX Eusebes Philopator (Kyzikenos), 114/3-95 BC. Hemidrachm (Silver, 13 mm, 1.55 g, 12 h), Phoenician standard. Samaria, circa 112-110. Diademed head of Antiochos IX to right. Rev. BAΣΙΛ[E - A]NT ΦΙΛO Athena standing front, head to left, holding Nike in her right hand and spear and shield in her left. SC 2393. Very rare and in exceptional condition for the issue. The reverse struck slightly off center, otherwise, nearly extremely fine.


Houghton, Lorbeer and Hoover suggest that this issue was struck by the Samarians during their military aggression against the Hasmoneans in 112-110 BC. It is the only Seleukid coinage ever issued in Samaria, which was destroyed shortly thereafter, in circa 108 BC, by John Hyrcanus.