Obolos 16

SYRIA, Seleucis and Pieria. Antioch. Aulus Gabinius, proconsul, 57-55 BC. Tetradrachm (Silver, 27.5 mm, 15.55 g, 12 h), in the name and types of Philip I Philadelphos. Diademed head of the Seleukid king Philip I Philadelphos to right. Rev. ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΦΙΛΙΠΠΟV / ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟVΣ ΦΙΛΑΔΕΛΦΟV Zeus seated left on high-backed throne, holding Nike on his outstretched right hand and long scepter in his left; in inner field to left, monogram of Gabinius; below throne, fixed monogram; all within laurel wreath. HGC 9, 1356. McAlee 1. Prieur 1. RPC I 4124. An attractive and lightly toned example. Overstruck, otherwise, nearly extremely fine.

The "pseudo-Philip" tetradrachms of the Roman governor of Syria, Aulus Gabinius, while copying the "pseudo-Philips" of the preceding period, are stylistically distinct and have a monogram of the governor composed of the letters AYΓΒ in the field before Zeus's feet. Although the coins are rare today, the issue must have been fairly large: at least nineteen obverse dies have been observed suggesting that the original mintage numbered in the neighborhood of a half million coins or so. The present specimens is a particularly nice example, with a handsome and well centered portrait of the deceased king surrounded by a nearly complete border.