Kings of Pergamon. Philetairos (282-263 BC). AR Tetradrachm, struck 269/8-263 BC. Pergamon. 15.69 gms. Diademed head of Seleukos right, rev. ?I?ETAIP(OY), Athena enthroned left, holding spear and shield, resting elbow on sphinx, ivy leaf before, monogram A in circle below. SC 309.4a, Newell 12. After Antigonus was killed in the wars of succession at the Battle of Ipsus in 301 BC, Lysimachos gave command of the treasury of Pergamon to the Attalid Philetairos. Shortly before the Battle of Korupedion in 281 BC, Philetairos deserted Lysimachos and gave his allegiance to Seleukos. His reasons are not abundantly clear, but the move may have been motivated by the court intrigues of Arsinoë, wife of Lysimachos. Seleukos defeated and killed Lysimachos at Korupedion, but was himself assassinated a few months later by a brother of Arsinoë. Philetairos, though, continued to acknowledge Seleukid sovereignty as reflected in this coinage which was struck in the reign of Antiochos. Reverse struck from eroding dies and rough. Attractive Hellenistic portrait. Very Fine.
