I currently have two tetradrachms of Antiochus II Theos; both depicting his father Antiochus I Soter. Antiochus II likely continued to use his father's portraits on his coins as a sign of continuity and legitimacy. I have been keeping my eye on a few coins with his portrait but many of them were way above my price range. I saw this guy earlier today and sent the dealer a low ball bid, about $90 below what he was asking, and to my surprise he accepted. I did a write up on him about two months ago which can be found here: https://www.cointalk.com/threads/antiochus-ii-theos-tetradrachm-redux.357195/#post-4283901 To sum that article up, Antiochus II allied himself with Antigonus II of Macedon and successfully checked Ptolemaic expansion in Syria, the Aegean, and Anatolia. The Seleucid state was the pre-eminent hellenistic superpower by the time he died in 246 BCE. Material: Silver Weight: 16.85 g Syria, Antiochus II; 261-246 BC, Perhaps Tralles, Tetradrachm, 16.85g. SC-534.2. Obv: Diademed head of Antiochus II r. Rx: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΝΤΙΟΧΟΥ Apollo, slight drapery on r. thigh, seated l. on omphalos, testing arrow and resting l. hand on bow; control marks in outer l. and r. fields. Obverse somewhat high relief. aVF / Fine The Hellenistic world circa 250 BCE My latest tetradrachm matches this bust of Antiochus II very well. It's finally nice to have a coin with his likeness on it.
Nice looking tetradrachm, and nice write-up. I have but a humble AE of uncertain attribution: Seleucid Kingdom Æ 17 Antiochos II Theos (261-246 B.C.) Sardis mint (?) Laureate head of Apollo right, hair in spiral curls down neck / [ΒΑΣΙΛΕ]ΩΣ ΑΝΤΙΟΧΟΥ, tripod between, [no visible monograms or anchor below] Uncertain Attrib. (4.23 grams / 17 mm) Attribution Notes: There are many variations of this type (monograms and anchor below tripod) for Antiochos II, most seem to be from Sardis. This is Denomonation B or C See: http://www.seleukidempire.org
My other two tetradrachms of Antiochus II Theos: Antiochus II Theos Tetradrachm Struck 261-246 BCE at Seleucia on the Tigris 16.87 grams 28mm in diameter. Obverse depicts Antiochus II's father, Antiochus I Soter. AND 261-246 BC, Seleucia on the Tigris Denomination: Tetradrachm Weight: 16.910 References: SC-587.4a Details: Obv: Diademed portrait of Antiochus I r., Rx: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΝΤΙΟΧΟΥ Apollo, slight drapery on r. thigh, seated l. on omphalos, testing arrow and resting l. hand on bow, control marks in left and right fields. Fine+
They are correct, I simply list is as Tralles it's a guess but probable. It is located in Westen Turkey.
Thank you David! I have never even heard of that mint before.That all makes sense now due to how much he campaigned extensively there during the second Syrian War.
Very Nice coin. I also got mine few months ago. I love these coins they are more rare than the ones with his father's portrait.
@Fereydoon Nice pair of Tetradrachms! Antiochus II is in my opinion one of the more underrated Seleucid rulers.
Thanks @Magnus Maximus These coins have very good eye appeal in hand. Unfortunately I do not have access to them now as they are in my deposit box ,otherwise I would take a better pic to show the amazing eye appeal
Maybe this could help: In this book you can find the mintmarks (no page number, after page 67) https://archive.org/details/numismatahelleni00leakuoft/mode/2up This is the page:
Great addition! Portrait coins of Antiochus II (as opposed to those he struck depicting his father) seem to be difficult to find. I would like one eventually. At the moment I only have a tetradrachm that Antiochus II struck depicting his father. I've shown it before but have recently rephotographed it. I purchased it because of its iridescence, which my iphone does not seem to capture very well. Seleucid Kingdom: Antiochus II (261-246 BCE) AR Tetradrachm Obv: Diademed head of Antiochus I right. Rev: Apollo Delphios, testing arrow and resting hand on grounded bow, seated left on omphalos; monograms to outer left and right. Diameter: 29mm Weight: 16.47 grams Mint: Seleucia on the Tigris SC 587.1c Ex: CNG, J.B. Collection
@Magnus Maximus Very nice pic . If you don't mind to share, may I know how much you bought yours? I am just curious to know if I paid more for mine or not
@Magnus Maximus Not bad I paid for the first one 300 EUR but the second one I paid 500 USD I think I did ok maybe not the best price but I am happy with the coins!
@Fereydoon I think you did fine; like another member said, these coins are more scarce than ones depicting Antiochus I. Also nothing quite beats holding a 17 gram high relief silver slug in your hand!