Alexander I Balas AR Tetradrachm – Seleucid – Phoenicia, Tyre

Ancient Greek – Alexander I Balas Silver Tetradrachm

Seleucid, Phoenicia, Tyre

Obv: Diademed and draped bust of Alexander I right

Rev: BAΣΙΛΕΩΣ AΛEΞANΔPOY,Eagle standing left on ship’s ram, palm branch under far wing. LF: Monogram over Club, RF: ΕΞΡover Monogram.

148 – 147 BC. · Tyre Mint · SC 1835.4c

13.9g ·  26mm

Alexander Balas seized the Seleucid throne in 150 BC by claiming to be a son of Antiochus IV, with crucial backing from Rome and Ptolemaic Egypt. He ruled for roughly five years (150–145 BC) before losing support, being defeated by Demetrius II, and meeting his death while fleeing.