An interesting tetradrachm of Antioch VII, plus two more local purchases

My local coin dealer, Sal is about to embark on a trip to Italy, including a visit to his extended family in Sicily. So, I went through his inventory of ancients again and picked out three. We agreed on $2,500 for the lot. Following day, Saturday, I returned with some gold bullion coins and a few Mexican cobs and Mexican republic coins, coins that he is looking for. We agreed on a basic swap, plus $100 cash to me, a pretty fair deal I think. I don't like pressing for more money. The way I look at, if both parties feel good about a deal, the better it is for keeping good long-term relationships.

Here are the coins.

Antiochus VII Sidetes, tetradrachm, Antioch, 130–129 BC.
SC 2061.2; HGC 9, 1067d
16.71 grams



This is a rather common coin with examples readily available at the retail and auction levels. I have an example from Tyre but not Antioch, so this my first selection. I find the portrait nicely executed for this type, with the eyes of Antiochus VII gazing upwards. Also, there seems to be a character of some sort between the neck and the ribbon. As far as I can tell, it looks like an Aramaic "S" or "T". It is clearly not part of the ribbon or hair, and I don't think it is a die flaw or rust, although rust is apparent elsewhere on the coin. I've included an enlargement of the area. If anyone has information, I'd appreciate the feedback. Could be a die engraver's initial, or a control mark of some sort?



Here are the Aramaic square script characters:



The second coin selected was, surprise! an owl. Who woulda thunk it? I just have a congenital weakness for ancient coins with their original patina, however dark, something that is rather scarce among standardized classical owls, the vast majority cleaned or over cleaned and entombed in plastic sarcophagi. This coin hasn't been subjected to this treatment - bravo! Long may this owl grace collectors' hands unimpaired by a plastic slab.

Athens, owl, 440-404 BC.
HGC 4, 1597. SNG Copenhagen 31-40. Kroll 8
17.20 grams



Finally, the best for last.

Alexander III, tetradrachm, 323-320 BC, Amphipolis.
Price 103; Mueller 153; Demanhur 895-908.
17.23 grams

Obverse: Alexander III facing right, wearing a lion headdress.

Reverse: Zeus seated facing left, holding eagle and staff; ΑΛΕΞΑΝ∆ΡΟΥ to right; star in circle to left.



In addition to being a high grade example, the styling of the portrait of this early posthumous coin, with Alexander's eyes pointed heavenward embodies the deification of Alexander immediately following his sudden death in 323 BC, in Babylon. The coin was struck on a fairly narrow thick flan, but the centering is very good; obvious care was taken preparing the dies, especially the obverse, as well as in the striking.

So, there they are. Any thoughts on the "Aramaic" character on the Antiochus VII coin?

Post your coins of Alexander, Athens, Seleucid or anything you wish!

Thanks!

 

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Not sure there is an Aramaic letter behind Antiochus' neck. It could be just a lock of hair. Look at this Alexander Zabinas tetradrachm: he has a lock of hair in the same place : https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=4909546

 

It could be a hair locket. It is interesting that it has the form of an Aramaic character, but stranger things have happened. Also, I don't know how an Aramaic character would end up on a Greek coin, that would be very odd. But I like to speculate on these things.

Also, let me apologize for the typographical error in the thread's header - Antiochus VII of course. I'm at an age where the brain and hands don't communicate at times. I also have this problem when speaking.