Just got this little hemidrachm delivered today. This isn't an area that I historically collect, but I was fascinated with it's tiny size, as we see lots of larger tetradrachms day-in-day-out on the forum. This lil' guy is only 13mm and 1.46g. It is pretty neat seeing this Seleukid bust style like you see on those large tets on this tiny flan. Antiochos VIII Epiphanes (Grypos), Ruled 121/0-97/6 BC AR Hemidrachm, Antioch on the Orontes mint Struck 112-111/0 BC Obverse: Diademed head right. Reverse: Nike advancing left, holding wreath; to outer left, monogram above N. References: SC 2305c; HGC 9, 1210 Size: 13mm, 1.46g When I got it in hand, the obverse bust was in better condition that what I thought from the buyers photos. Plus, as you turn it in the light, it has some really nice blue/purple iridescence on the reverse and a bit of blue on the obverse. And CNG says it's rare, ta boot! Do you have a smaller-than-tet Seleukid silver? Or do you have another Antiochos VIII of any other denomination? (including tet) Or anything else you find relevant?
Nice little hemidrachm @Justin Lee, smaller denominations were increasingly less minted during the late Seleukid empire, it seems that how smaller the fraction how more rare they become. The fact that they did in fact got minted meant that there was somehow a demand for these smaller fractions. His tetradrachm: Antiochos VIII Epiphanes (Grypos) (121/0-97/6 B.C.) AR Tetradrachm. 2nd reign at Antioch. Antiochia on the Orontes mint, 112-111/10 B.C. Obverse: Diademed head of Antiochos VIII to right. Reverse: BAΣIΛEΩΣ / ANTIOXOY - EΠIΦANOYΣ Zeus Ouranios standing front, head to left; holding star in his right hand and long scepter in his left; above, crescent; to left, monogram above A; to inner right, Δ; all within laurel wreath. Reference: SC 2302.1f. 16.26g; 27mm and a drachm: Antiochos VIII Epiphanes (Grypos) (121/0-97/6 B.C.) AR Drachm. 3rd reign at Antioch. Antiochia on the Orontes mint, 109-96 B.C. Obverse: Diademed head of Antiochos VIII to right. Reverse: BAΣIΛEΩΣ / ANTIOXOY - EΠIΦANOYΣ. Tripod; monogram over Γ to outer left. Reference: SC 2310; HGC 9, 1209. 3.74g Ex Shlomo Moussaieff Collection, London, 1948 - 2000. Talking about fractions, here is an extremely rare bronze of Antiochos VIII, in the smallest bronze denomination possible, a quarter unit. These tiny bronze fractions, as the silver fractions, are not minted very often. As far as I know only @David@PCC has one and a few examples in catalogs (but who knows some private collectors have them, we never know if they do not share their collection on the internet). Antiochos VIII Epiphanes (121/0-97/6 B.C.) Æ Denomination E (quarter), struck circa 109-96 B.C. Obverse: Diademed head of Antiochus VIII right. Reverse: BAΣIΛEΩΣ ANTIOXOY EΠIФANOYΣ (“of King Antiochos the Illustrious”), Rose. Outer left PE control. Reference: SC 2316; HGC 9, 1227(R3). 2.33g; 13mm
I was this close to bidding on that one, congratulations. I believe this one is unpublished with a new monogram. Can I use it for my site? It looks like an H where known examples are an N. The smallest I am aware of is a hemiobol which weighs just 1/3 of a gram! Antiochos VIII Mint: Sidon AR Tetradrachm 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 Antiochos VIII Mint: Antioch AR Drachm 109 to 96 BC Obvs: Antiochos diademed head right, within dotted border. Revs: BAΣIΛEΩΣ ANTIOXOY EΠIΦANOYΣ, Tripod. PE on left 17mm, 3.8g Ref: SNG Is. 2525, SC 2310 Antiochos VIII Mint: Antioch on the Orontes Denomination E 109 to 96 BC Obvs: Diademed head of Antiochus VIII right, dotted border. Revs: BAΣIΛEΩΣ ANTIOXOY EΠIФANOYΣ, Rose. Outer left PE control. AE 12x13mm, 1.76g Ref: SC 2316; HGC 10, 1227(R3) Antiochos VIII Mint: Antioch 97 BC Obvs: Head of Antiochos right radiate within dotted border. Revs: BAΣIΛEΩΣ ANTIOXOY EΠIΦANOYΣ, Two cornucopias. PE* to left. AE 20mm, 8.8g Ref: SNG Isr 2560, SC 2312.1a Alexander I Mint: Antioch AR Drachm 151 to 149 BC 17mm, 4.2g Obvs: No inscription. Head of Alexander right. Revs: BAΣIΛEΩΣ AΛEΞANΔPOY ΘEoΠATOPoΣ EYEPГETOY, Apollo seated. Monogram below Ref: SNG Isr.195.1397, SC 1785.1e Another Victory Antiochus X Antioch on the Orontes 94 BC Obvs: Diademed and bearded head of Antiochus right. Revs: BAΣIΛEΩΣ ANTIOXOV EVΣEBOYΣ ΦIΛOΠATOPOΣ, Nike advancing left holding wreath. AE 15x17mm, 4.86g Ref: SC 2433
Thanks for sharing your coins, @Pavlos & @David@PCC! For sure! PM me if you need anything specific from me.
I would like to collect these really really old coins however I don't know squat about them . Can anyone recommend some good books [ not E ] on the subject. On that note our library is neither large of well stocked . Thanks H
I'd suggest checking out this thread and the links within... Lots of great resources mentioned. https://www.cointalk.com/threads/ancient-coins-beginners’-faq-thread.324858/
One of my favorites from long ago, an earlier Antiochus with a wonderful little round ticket included: Seleucid Kingdom. Antiochus IV Epiphanes (175-164 BC). Æ 34 (38.4g, 1h). "Egyptianizing" series, Antioch on the Orontes mint, Autumn 169-Summer/Autumn 168 BC. Obv: Laureate head of Serapis right, wearing taenia with Osiris cap at tip; dotted border. Rev: BAΣIΛEΩΣ ANTIOXOY ΘEOY EΠIΦANOYΣ; Eagle with closed wings standing right on thunderbolt. Ref: SC 1413; HGC 9, 643.
