Demetrios II Nikator AR Tetradrachm, Berytos, SE 168, Rare

Demetrios II Nikator, tetradrachm, silver, reign 146–138 BC; Berytos, 146–138 BC. 14.05 g, 28 mm. Anepigraphic obverse with diademed and draped bust right. Reverse: BASILEΩΣ ΔHMHTPIOY; eagle standing left on palm with wings closed; in left field city monogram above monogram; in right field ΗΞΡ (Seleucid Era date 168) above trident. Struck on the Attic standard, die axis 12h. Rare. References: HGC 9, 968; SC 1952.2a; SNG Spaer 1654. This issue belongs to Demetrios II’s first reign and reflects Seleucid reassertion of authority in coastal Phoenicia following the overthrow of Alexander I Balas. The trident marks Berytos, an important naval and commercial center, while the eagle-on-palm type continues a long regional tradition derived from Ptolemaic issues. The SE date fixes production early in his rule amid the struggle with Diodotos Tryphon and the consolidation of power in Syria and Phoenicia.