A Hellenistic tetradrachm of a hook-nosed King

I am particularly happy that I was able to acquire a Hellenistic tet in a very acceptable condition and for a price that was quite sensible. When it comes to coins that have good proportions, imaginable depictions, and excellent portraits, I don't think that anyone can go wrong with the coinage of Alexander's Hellenistic successors. Mind you this one is quite a late example and was minted during a period where the Seleukid Kingdom was just a shadow of its former self, nevertheless as a coin it has all the above characteristics that make these tets really desirable.



This is a tetradrachm of Antiochos VIII, more commonly known as 'Grypus' (from the Greek word for hook-nosed). I have the feeling that this wasn't a nickname of his own choosing. After all the legends on the coin describe him as 'επιφανης' (eminent). There were other Seleukid kings that carried that epithet, but they were actually worthy of it. Antiochos VIII, not so much... He was the son of Demetrios II and Cleopatra Thea and he ruled for quite a long time considering the state of the kingdom during his reign. There was a lot of political turmoil and for a good chunk of his reign he spent it fighting with his half-brother (another Antiochos of course - IX this time). This is probably why you don't get many diadochoi-related questions on popular TV shows nowadays - "Name a Seleukid King" it doesn't get easier than that!

It would be safe to assume that he wasn't a nice chap. He started his career at the top by being a co-ruler with his mother. As it often happens in those cases, one will assassinate the other and this time the son was victorious. Rumours say that there was poisoning involved, and that it was his mother that tried to off him first, but he forced her to drink the dodgy wine instead. Apparently Antiochos had quite an interest in toxicology and he even wrote poems about poisons. Such shortcomings can be forgiven though if you know how to throw a party, and our guy had quite a reputation. He even invented the doggy-bag as he would send off his drunken guests on a camel loaded with left-over food and booze. But that was no reason for a scandal, as a little display of decadence meant that the King was doing rather well for himself - thus he must be efficient. I don't think that works as much for modern political audiences though. He was finally assassinated in 96BC.

If I was forced to choose only one area of Greek coinage to collect, I would go for Hellenistic coinage. I just love those bulky portraits. And you can still find affordable specimens which is definitely a bonus! Show me your examples or anything else you think is relevant.

 

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This is my 3rd example, even with the discoloration I'm still happy with it.

Antiochos VIII
Mint: Sidon
AR Tetradrachm
Year 197, 116/115 BC
Obvs: Diademed head of Antiochos right within fillet border.
Revs: BAΣIΛEΩΣ ANTIOXOY EΠIФANOYΣ, Zeus Ouranios standing left, holding star and scepter. Outer left, ΣIΔΩ IEP Σ٩P in three lines above monogram. Date in exergue, all within wreath.
28x30mm, 16.22g
Ref: SC 2330.2; HGC 9, 1197g(R2)

 

Once upon a time in my collection.
SOLD Antiochus V111 "Grypos" 121-98/6 BC Tetradrachm
Obverse Antiochus In fillet border
32mm 16.27gm
Struck 115/13 B.C. Ake-Ptolemais mint
SC 2336.2a
Reverse.. Zeus Ouranos
Ins: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΝΤΙΟΧΟΥ ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ
Control mark ΔΡ left field
All surrounded by a wreath

 

Beautiful examples!

 

One of his predecessors Antiochus VII

 

P.O.M., Nice score ! All the Antiochos Tets posted on this thread are handsome. I scored a nice Tet of Antiochos VIII last year struck at the Antioch-Syria Mint.


Seleukid Empire, Antiochos VIII Epiphanes (Grypos), Third reign in Antioch, c. 109-96 BC. Reverse: Zeus seated being crowned with laurel wreath by Nike. AR Tetradrachm: 16.24 gm, 28 mm, 1 h. Ex Numismatic Fine Arts, XVII, Lot 439, June 27, 1986

 

Not as hooked nosed as some of his later coins but yes definitely the nose is starting to hook. This is a coin from his second reign. At this point the history of the Seleukid Kingdom gets rather complicated. After doing away with mommy dearest Cleopatra Thea he ended up in a civil war with his half brother Antiochos IX. He lost control of Antioch but for a short period 112-111 BC regained it. It was during this period that he murdered the wife of Antiochos IX and he in turn caught and executed the wife of Antiochos VIII (hmm this seems just a little bit too convenient) Alright the coin
Antiochos VIII Gryphos Ar tetradrachm Antioch 112-111 BC Obv Head right diademed Rv. Zeus Uranius standing left SC 2302(1) HGC 1196d 16.38 grms 30 mm Photo by W. Hansen PS On another note there is an absolute mob of late Seleukid coins in the upcoming Leu Auction. Naturally as usual I have already bought all the ones I could use from this period.

 

Both lovely examples. I notice that they both have very precise dating. Where does this info come from, is it from the mint-mark? Can I narrow down the date on mine as well? It is almost identical to @NewStyleKing 's example.

Really nice, and the artist is really doing justice to the 'hook-nosed' attribute.

A certain Hitchcock classic comes to mind...

 

This Tet has IE in left field.

 

Some like mine have a date in the exergue, yours is an undated issue dated from 121 to 113 BC. SNG has been out of date for 10 to 15 years now. SC is the most up to date standard reference but quickly falling behind with new discoveries. They digitized the book with SCO at the same time I started making my Seleucid website. Theirs is complete while I only made it to the reign of Seleucus II. I will complete it when I have more time.