(BC 284-263) Philetairos I - Tetradrachm

Philetairos I, 284-263 BC. AR Tetradrachm (16.70g). Diademed head of Seleukos I right / ΦΙΛΕΤΑΙΡΟΥ, Athena enthroned left, holding shield and spear, ivy leaf before, bow behind, A on throne. Good VF, reverse a little rough, with scrapes and light graffiti. Rare.

When Lysimachos established the mint of Pergamon, he entrusted its treasury to the eunuch Philetairos. In the latter 280s BC, Philetairos changed his allegiance to Seleukos I. Shortly thereafter in 281 BC, Lysimachos was defeated by Seleukos at the Battle of Korupedion. Although Seleukos was assassinated the following year, Philetairos continued to acknowledge Seleukid primacy. This coinage, commemorating Seleukos I, was struck while Pergamon was still loyal to the Seleukids, under their king Antiochos I. Houghton & Lorber (SC), citing Le Rider and Newell, assign this coinage to the aftermath of Antiochos' victory over the Galatians, circa 269/8 BC.