I bought this coin as ALEXANDER II Zebinas (Seleucid Empire), but the more I look at it the less I am convinced that it has been attributed correctly. For mine, 1/. The legend on the reverse is not a match, 2/. The cornucopia has a 'crescent' on top, which is not shown on other examples, 3/. There is a no column behind the cornucopia as there is in other examples. Further, If it is not Alexander II Zebinas, then who might it be? Any assistance is appreciated. The coin measures AE18.8 mm., and weighs 4.53 gm.
ALEXANDER II ZABINAS AE22 OBVERSE: Radiate and diademed head right REVERSE: �'ΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΛΕΞΑΝ�"ΡΟΥ, Double cornucopia; A-Π flanking, star to lower left Struck at Antioch, Series 5 125-22 BC 8.2g, 22mm SC 2237
What I have circled in Bing's photo (below) is not the second cornucopia. It looks like a column to me. And I cannot see it on my coin. Thoughts, please?
@Topcat7 you are correct. And the "hooked nose" on your example's portrait is what clued me toward Antiochus VIII. I think it is... Antiochos VIII Grypos. Seleukid Kingdom, AE22 unit. 121-96 BC. 7 g. Antioch mint. Third reign at Antioch, struck ca 108-97 BC. Diademed head of Antiochos right. / BAΣIΛEΩΣ ANTIOXOY EΠIΦANOYΣ, double cornucopiae with fillet. ΡE monogram in outer left field. SNG Spaer 2559; Houghton 350; SC 2312-2313; Hoover HGC 1213. Text
@philologus_1 Ahhhhhh. Thank you, sir. Close, but 'diademed' and not 'radiate'. I can find 'radiate' busts of Antiochos VIII Grypos but usually with 'Eagle' reverse, not with Cornucopiae. Fortunately a coin, from (a well known and respected) dealer, that I bought as a Demetrios II Nikator which turned out to be an Alexander II Zebinas will take this coin's place in my album. Ah the joys . . . Thank you, again.
I came across this on "VCoins". So there exists another coin like mine. It may be 'unlisted' because while their example is 'radiate' their reference alludes to the fact that the Head of Antiochos VIII Grypos is 'diademed'. @philologus_1 You may be right yet.
I am 90% confident that I read EΠIΦAN[...] on the op. I agree Antiochus VIII Ephiphanes/ Grypos. Hard to miss the reason for "Grypos"!
@dltsrq Agreed! The only thing missing is a 'reference', as all of the Antiochos VIII Epiphanes/Grypos coins of this type (that I can find) are 'diademed' and not 'radiate'. The only 'radiate' coins of this emperor have either an Eagle or an Owl, or a Headress of Isis on them, but no Cornucopiae on the 'Radiate' ones.
I found what seems to be a match. George MacDonald (1905), Catalogue of Greek Coins in the Hunterian Collection University of Glasgow, Vol. III, p. 102, 22-23; pl. LXIX, 23-24. Note that 20 and 21 (p. 101) with diademed bust are substantially heavier than 22 and 23 with radiate bust. Measurements are in grains and inches. .
By the way, all three volumes of the Hunterian Greek catalogue are available for free use or download at archive.org, as are other classic references that predate modern copyright law. Books.google.com and hathitrust.org have many as well.
