Seleucia Pieria, Syria, 102-101 BC, Tetradrachm

Seleucia Pieria, Tetradrachm, AR, Reign/Authority of Seleucia Pieria, 102-101 BC. Minted in Seleucia Pieria, CY 5. The coin weighs 13.76 grams and typically measures around 27 mm in diameter. Obverse: Features a veiled and turreted bust of Tyche facing right. Reverse: Inscribed with ΣEΛEVKEΩN THΣIEPAΣ KAI AVTNOMOV, accompanied by the date mark E (5). This specimen offers a sharp strike, maintaining clarity in both major and minor details. References: HGC 9, 1383.

The historical significance of this coin lies in its representation of Seleucia Pieria's autonomy and cultural identity during the late Hellenistic period. Tyche, as the patron deity of the city, is depicted veiled and turreted, indicating both her protective role and the city’s fortifications. The tetradrachm served not just as currency, but as a symbol of the city’s status and affiliation with the Greater Seleucid Empire, highlighting a blend of indigenous and Hellenistic influences.