SELEUKID KINGS. Antiochos VII Euergetes (Sidetes), 138-129 BC. Tetradrachm (Silver, 30 mm, 14.21 g, 12 h), Ake-Ptolemais, SE 177 = 136/5. Diademed and draped bust of Antiochos VII to right. Rev. ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ - ANTIOXOY Eagle with closed wings standing left on thunderbolt; to left, monogram of ΠΑ; to right, ZΟΡ (date). Babelon, Rois 1104. DCA 196. HGC 9, 1075. SC 2116.2. Extremely rare. Beautifully toned and in exceptional condition for this important issue. Light doubling on the reverse, otherwise, good very fine.


Antiochos VII besieged Jerusalem circa 134–132 BC to reassert Seleukid authority over the independent Hasmonean Kingdom under John Hyrkanos I. After two years, the starving city capitulated: Hyrkanos paid a vast indemnity of 3,000 silver talents and delivered 500 hostages to Antiochos. The payment was reportedly financed in part by plundering the tomb of David, and Hyrkanos also agreed to dismantle Jerusalem’s defensive walls. This beautiful and extremely rare tetradrachm of Antiochos VII was struck at a mint located in Ake-Ptolemais in 136/5 in preparation of the siege and was likely used to pay the Seleukid forces in the war.