Seleucid Alexander Balas AR Drachm, Antioch, 150–146 BC, Apollo on omphalos

Alexander Balas, Drachm, Silver, reign 150–146 BC, Antioch, 150–146 BC; 3.79 g, 17 mm. Obv: Anepigraphic; diademed bust of Alexander Balas right. Rev: BAΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ ΘΕΟΠΑΤΟΡΟΣ ΕΥΕΡΓΕΤΟΥ; Apollo seated left on omphalos, holding arrow in right hand and resting left on grounded bow; monogram in left field; monogram in exergue. Struck at Antioch on a compact flan; obverse well centered; reverse slightly off-center with areas of flatness and light surface porosity; edge irregularities as made. Ref: HGC 9, 887a; SC 1785.3c; SMA 137. This drachm belongs to the principal Antioch series of Alexander Balas, the claimant who secured the Seleucid throne with Ptolemaic and Roman support, styling himself “Theopator Euergetes” to assert descent from Antiochus IV. The Apollo-on-omphalos reverse continues the long-standing Seleucid type signifying Delphic sanction and dynastic continuity, while the monograms record Antioch mint controls during the civil conflicts against Demetrius I and subsequently Demetrius II.