Obolos 42

SELEUKID KINGS. Tryphon, circa 142-138 BC. (Bronze, 18 mm, 5.00 g, 1 h), Denomination B/C, Antioch on the Orontes. Diademed head of Tryphon to right. Rev. ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΤΡΥΦΩΝΟΣ ΑΥΤΟΚΡΑΤΟΡΟΣ Ornate Macedonian helmet to left, with spike on top and with a wild goat's horn over the visor; aplustre on the inner left field. HGC 9, 1061. SC 2034.2a. Scarce with the aplustre control. Very fine.

From the CG Collection.

Tryphon was a general of ALexander I Balas during the civil war with Demetrios II. He handed Antioch over to Ptolemy VI when Ptolemy invaded, and offered the Seleukid kingship to Ptolemy. Ptolemy declined he offer and installed Demetrios II on the throne. After Demetrios began eliminating Balas' supporters, Tryphon fled to the Arabs, ruling as regent for Balas' young son Antiochos VI until the latter's death when Tryphon began ruling in his own name.

Tryphon's break with the Seleukid ruling dynasty is shown on this coin by the use of the title Autocrator, meaning "self-empowered." The purpose of the much oversized ibex horn on the Macedonian helmet is unclear, but appears on all of Tryphon's Syrian coinage issues either attached to a helmet as here or alone.