Nero, AR Tetradrachm, Antioch?

Discussion in 'Ancient Coins' started by robinjojo, Feb 27, 2021.

  1. robinjojo

    robinjojo Well-Known Member

    This coin arrive today from Israel. As far as I can determine, it could be from Antioch, although the crescent below the eagle is unlike anything I have seen from that mint.

    There also appears to be a counterstamp on the reverse, on the wing. A cursory lookup on the Internet indicates that it might be the Hebrew character for "kaph".

    Ancient Hebrew Kaph.jpg

    This coin weighs 14.5 grams, and it is quite dark with a fair amount of wear.

    D-Camera Nero tetradrachm, possibly Antioch 14.5 grams Israel 20212-27-21.jpg

    Can anyone confirm that this is a coin from Antioch?

    Thank you.
     
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  3. Mat

    Mat Ancient Coincoholic

    Pretty sure it's Otho.

    Otho (A.D. 69), AR Tetradrachm, Antioch, Syria, laureate head right, aytokpatwp m own kaicap cebactoc, rev. etoyc a, eagle standing left on wreath, with wreath in beak, palm-branch to left, crescent between legs (RPC 4199; Prieur 101)
     
  4. robinjojo

    robinjojo Well-Known Member

    Thank you, Mat.

    I really didn't take time to attempt to decipher the obverse legend. The portrait struck me as that of Nero.

    After looking this coin up on Wildwinds, here's what I found:

    Otho Tetradrachm, Antioch ad Orontem, Seleucis and Pieria, 69 AD, 14.44g.

    AYTOKPATWP M OTWN KAICAP CEBACTOC, laureate head right
    ETOYC A, eagle, wings raised, standing left on two laurel
    branches, wreath in beak, palm branch in left field,
    crescent between eagle's legs.

    RPC 4199; Prieur 101; McAlee 316.

    Otho, tetradrachm, 69 AD, Wildwinds.jpg
     
  5. Jay GT4

    Jay GT4 Well-Known Member

  6. kevin McGonigal

    kevin McGonigal Well-Known Member

    Nero Antioch tetradrachmas are pretty common. Otho coins are not.
     
    Roman Collector and robinjojo like this.
  7. robinjojo

    robinjojo Well-Known Member

    Nice coin! I didn't know you own it. I like the jet black patina.

    My example is also very dark. I actually increased the lighting somewhat when formatting it in Photoshop.
     
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  8. robinjojo

    robinjojo Well-Known Member

    Given the very brief reign of Otho, it seems that the mint created a portrait very similar to Nero who died the year before.
     
    DonnaML likes this.
  9. ominus1

    ominus1 Well-Known Member

    ..aint that the truth! nice score! :)
     
  10. dougsmit

    dougsmit Member

    This one has a larger flan an shows the letter placement but it is a different die so meaningless here. However you have the bottom half of the letters in OΘWN so there is no doubt.
    pb0125fd3470.jpg
     
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