Ake Ptolemais

Greek historians refer to the city as Ake, meaning "cure." According to the Greek myth, Heracles found curative herbs here to heal his wounds. The name was changed to Antiochia Ptolemais shortly after Alexander the Great's conquest, and then to Ptolemais, probably by Ptolemy Soter, after the partition of the kingdom of Alexander the Great. About 165 BC Judas Maccabeus defeated the Seleucids in several battles in Galilee, and drove them into Ptolemais. About 153 BC Alexander Balas, son of Antiochus Epiphanes, contesting the Seleucid crown with Demetrius, seized the city, which opened its gates to him. Demetrius offered many bribes to the Maccabees to obtain Jewish support against his rival, including the revenues of Ptolemais for the benefit of the Temple in Jerusalem, but in vain. Jonathan Maccabaeus threw in his lot with Alexander, and in 150 BC he was received by him with great honour in Ptolemais. Some years later, however, Tryphon, an officer of the Seleucids, who had grown suspicious of the Maccabees, enticed Jonathan into Ptolemais and there treacherously took him prisoner. The city was captured by Alexander Jannaeus, Cleopatra VII of Egypt and Tigranes II of Armenia.


Antiochus IV Hover to enlarge Antiochus IV

Antiochus IV
Mint: Ptolemais (Ake)
AE 19
173 to 164 BC
Obvs: Radiate head of Antiochus right, within dotted border.
Revs: BAΣIΛEΩΣ ANTIOXOY, Nike in fast biga. Dotted border
17x18mm, 4.0g
$20.00
Order # G 236
Ref: SC 2 93.1484

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Antiochus VI Hover to enlarge Antiochus VI

Antiochus VI
Mint: Ptolemais (Ake)
144 to 141 BC
Obvs: Antiochus diademed head right, within dotted border.
Revs: BAΣIΛEΩΣ ANTIOXOY EΠIΦANOYΣ ΔIONYΣOY, Apollo standing left holding arrow and resting elbow on tripod. IE to left
AE Serrate 20mm, 8.4g
$0.00
Order # G 090
Ref: SNG Spaer 1781; SC 2023.2g; HGC 9, 1046(R1)

NFS
Antiochus VI Hover to enlarge Antiochus VI

Antiochus VI
Mint: Ptolemais (Ake)
144 to 141 BC
AE 21, Serrtae
Obvs: No inscription. Antiochus diademed head right, within dotted border.
Revs: BAΣIΛEΩΣ ANTIOXOY EΠIΦANOYΣ ΔIONYΣOY, Apollo standing left holding arrow and resting elbow on tripod. Control to left
21mm, 7.2g
$25.00
Order # G 121
Ref: SNG Isr.239.1778, SC2 2023.2d

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Antiochus VI Hover to enlarge Antiochus VI

Antiochus VI
Denomination D
Mint: Ptolemais (Ake)
144 to 141 BC
Obvs: Diademed, radiate head of Antiochus right.
Revs: BAΣIΛEΩΣ ANTIOXOY EΠIΦANOYΣ ΔIONYΣOY, Horse with foreleg raised
AE Serrate 15mm, 2.9g
$0.00
Order # G 192
Ref: SNG Spaer 1790 SC 2025; HGC 9, 1054(R1)

NFS
Antiochos VIII Hover to enlarge Antiochos VIII

Cleopatra/Antiochos VIII
Mint: Ptolemais
Year 189, 124/3 BC
Obvs: Antiochos radiate head right, within dotted border.
Revs: BAΣΙΛΙΣΣHΣ KΛEoΠATPAΣ KAI BAΣIΛEΩΣ ANTIOXOY, Headdress of Isis resting on inverted crescent. ΘΠP below, winged thunderbolt in ex. Σ monogram inner right above.
AE 17mm, 7.9g
$25.00
Order # G 142
Ref: SNG Isr 2479; SC 2274.3; HGC 9, 1191(R1)

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Antiochos VIII Hover to enlarge Antiochos VIII

Cleopatra/Antiochos VIII
Mint: Ptolemais
Year 189, 124/3 BC
Obvs: Antiochos radiate head right, within dotted border.
Revs: BAΣΙΛΙΣΣHΣ KΛEoΠATPAΣ KAI BAΣIΛEΩΣ ANTIOXOY, Headdress of Isis resting on inverted crescent. ΘΠP below, winged thunderbolt in ex. Σ monogram inner right above.
AE 20mm, 7.4g
$0.00
Order # G 143
Ref: SNG Isr 2479, SC 2274.3; HGC 9, 1191(R1)

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 CR