Mysia, Pergamon. Kings of. Eumenes I (263-241 BC). Silver Tetradrachm

When Lysimachos established the mint of Pergamon, he entrusted its treasury to the eunuch Philetairos. Philetairos changed his allegiance to Seleukos I, probably shortly before the Battle of Korupedion in 281 BC, where Seleukos defeated Lysimachos. Although Seleukos was assassinated the following year, Philetairos struck a series of Alexander-type issues in the name of Seleukos. Philetairos continued to acknowledge Seleukid primacy for some time, but soon struck a coinage in his own name. This coinage featured Athena Nikephoros on the reverse, similar to the reverses of Lysimachos. Near the end of Philetairos’ reign, in the mid-late 260s, the portrait of Seleukos was replaced with the portrait of the Pergamene king, noting a final break from Seleukid authority. Similar to what was done in Ptolemaic Egypt, all of the subsequent kings of Pergamon continued to use these types on the coinage, and even kept Philetairos’ name. The Pergamene kingdom had enjoyed considerable autonomy under the Seleukids, but in 261 BC, with the encouragement of Ptolemy II, who was at war against the Seleukids, Eumenes I revolted, and defeated Antiochos I in battle near Sardis in Lydia. The remainder of Eumenes’ reign saw an expansion of Pergamene power, including the foundation of a number of cities (Source: CNG) . Grade: VF+ even steelgrey toning with hints of gold irridescence Material: Silver Weight: 16. 92 g Diameter: 30. 50 mm Ref. : SNG France 1610-15; SNG Copenhagen 335; BMC 35; SNG von Aulock 1357; Meydancikkale 3008-24 Obverse: Laureate head of Philetairos right Reverse: ΦIΛETAIΡOΥ, Athena enthroned left, wreath in right hand, left elbow resting on shield to right; spear behind, ivy leaf to outer left, monogram to inner left, bow to right -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NON EU RESIDENTS, PLEASE TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THAT IMPORT DUTIES/LOCAL IMPORT TAXES ARE YOUR RESPONSIBILITY! SHIPMENT WILL OCCURE WITH FULL CUSTOMS DECLARATION FOR COINS LEAVING THE EU.