SELEUKID KINGS. Demetrios II Nikator, second reign, 129-126/5 BC. Tetradrachm (Silver, 30 mm, 16.79 g, 1 h), Damaskos, SE 184 = 129/8. Diademed and bearded head of Demetrios II to right. Rev. BAΣIΛEΩΣ / ΔHMHTPIOY - ΘEOY / NIKATOPOΣ Zeus seated left, holding Nike in his right hand and long scepter in his left; below throne, Ξ above Δ; in exergue, ΔΠP (date). LSM 69. SC 2181.2b. Beautifully toned and with a spectacular portrait. Minor scratch on the reverse, otherwise, extremely fine.

The most notable feature of the coins of Demetrios II from his second reign, after his escape (or release?) from Parthian captivity, is undoubtedly the lush beard he began to wear - an entirely untypical feature for a Seleukid ruler. This radical shift in iconography was long seen as a sign of assimilation to the Parthians. However, such an interpretation clearly reflects the typical Oriental decadence trope found in European writings from the 18th to early 20th centuries. It has been rightly pointed out that the already unpopular king would likely have had no desire to remind people of his lengthy captivity with the dynasty’s arch-enemy. A more plausible explanation is that the beard was intended to align him with Zeus, who was traditionally depicted with a flowing full beard. This theory is further supported by the king’s epithet, Theos Nikator (‘the Victorious God’).