Portraits of the Diadochi

[kirispupis]

Thought I would start a thread for coins depicting the successors of Alexander the Great.

The following are those I'm aware of with coins bearing their image, either minted during their lifetime or by their successors.

Demetrios I Poliorketes

Of all the coins depicting Diadochi, Demetrios' are probably the most famous.

Kings of Macedon. Pella. Demetrios I Poliorketes 306-283 BC.
Tetradrachm AR 30 mm, 17,12 g
Diademed and horned head of young Demetrios right / ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΔΗΜΗΤΡΙΟΥ, poseidon standing left resting foot on rock, monograms at either side.
Newell 90

 

Seleukos I Nikator

There is a debate whether a young Seleukos is depicted on his victory coinage. The only known image of him was minted by his son Antiochos I Soter. I believe there's also a rare coinage similar to Antiochos' minted at the end of his life. I have neither of those, but I do have this one from Antiochos, depicting Antiochos.

Seleukid Empire, Antiochos I Soter AR Tetradrachm Seleukeia on the Tigris, 281-261 BC Diademed head to right / Apollo Delphios seated to left on omphalos, testing arrow and resting left hand on grounded bow; ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ to right, ΑΝΤΙΟΧΟΥ to left, monogram to outer left and right. SC 379.5a; HGC 9, 128g. 16.80g, 29mm, 3h.

Ptolemy I

Ptolemy did mint some coins with his own image during his lifetime, but they're pricy. He was also depicted by his son, Ptolemy II, which I have here.

Ptolemaic Kingdom of Egypt, Ptolemy II Philadelphos
AR Tetradrachm. Tyre, dated RY 30 = 256/5 BCE
14.01g, 25mm, 12h.
Diademed head of Ptolemy I to right, wearing aegis around neck / ΠΤΟΛEΜΑΙOΥ [BAΣΙΛEΩΣ], eagle standing to left; monogram of Tyre above club to left; Λ (date) above monogram to right; A between legs.
CPE 577; Svoronos 657; SNG Copenhagen 488; DCA 20
Ex collection of R. N. Draskowski;
Ex Ephesus Numismatics, North Carolina, USA

 

Lysimachos

Lysimachos didn't mint any silver coinage AFAIK with his own image (although his coinage with Alexander is famous), however he did mint some rare bronze coins with his own image while still a satrap.

Kings of Thrace. Lysimachos, as Satrap
circa 323-305 BCE
Uncertain mint. Macedonian.
Æ 24 mm, 14,25 g
Diademed head of Lysimachos right /
Lion leaping right; AP monogram below.
Yağiz LIS Series A, 28; Lischine 1150–1; HGC 3, 1496 (c. 196-190 BC[?]); BMC 1; SNG Copenhagen 899

 

Philetairos

Okay, he's not at the top of everyone's Diadochi list, but he was still a player. A eunuch, he did mint coins with his own image in his lifetime, but they're tough. This one, with his image, was minted by his adopted successor Eumenes I.

KINGS of PERGAMON. Eumenes I
Struck circa 255/0-241 BCE
AR Tetradrachm 29mm, 16.89 g, 1h
In the name of Philetairos. Pergamon mint
Laureate head of Philetairos right
Athena enthroned left, elbow resting on shield to right, crowning dynastic name; transverse spear in background, grape bunch to outer left, A to inner left, bow to right.
Westermark Group V (unlisted dies); SNG BN 1618

[Ryro]

Great thread idea and your portraits are easy better than mine! Sorry I've been busy lately and almost missed it. 

Here's a couple of the great one himself:

One of my best portraits of his possible half cousin, the ginger, Ptolemy:

Ptolemy II Philadelphos, 285-246 BC. Tetradrachm (Silver, 28 mm, 13.00 g, 12 h), Sidon, RY 32 = 254/3 BC. Diademed head of Ptolemy I to right, wearing aegis around neck. Rev. ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΠΤΟΛΕΜΑΙΟΥ Eagle with closed wings standing left on thunderbolt; to left, ΣI above monogram of MT; to right, ΛB. CPE 524. Svoronos 739. Crystallized, double struck and with some edge chipping, otherwise, about extremely fine. Purchased from Leu Numismatiks Aug 2021

And either Seleukos, Alexander, Dionysos or a combination of them:

And the most celebrated Besieger of all time, Demetrios Poliorketes: