Antiochus II Theos Tetradrachm RE Redux

Discussion in 'Ancient Coins' started by Magnus Maximus, May 5, 2020.

  1. Magnus Maximus

    Magnus Maximus Dulce et Decorum est....

    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.

    combined946.jpg

    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


    Diadokhoi250nbc.jpg
    The Hellenistic world circa 250 BCE

    dime_antiochus_ii_munich.jpg
    My latest tetradrachm matches this bust of Antiochus II very well. It's finally nice to have a coin with his likeness on it.
     
    Last edited: May 5, 2020
    Theodosius, cmezner, Ryro and 18 others like this.
  2. Avatar

    Guest User Guest



    to hide this ad.
  3. Marsyas Mike

    Marsyas Mike Well-Known Member

    Nice looking tetradrachm, and nice write-up. I have but a humble AE of uncertain attribution:

    Seleucid - Antiochus II tripod Feb 2020 (0).jpg

    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
     
    Ryro, 7Calbrey, tenbobbit and 6 others like this.
  4. Magnus Maximus

    Magnus Maximus Dulce et Decorum est....

    @Marsyas Mike
    Thanks! Thats a nice little bronze from Sardis!
     
    Marsyas Mike likes this.
  5. Magnus Maximus

    Magnus Maximus Dulce et Decorum est....

    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.
    il_794xN.1505974237_bjs4.jpg
    il_794xN.1505974425_dugx.jpg

    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+
    images.asp.jpeg
    images-1.asp.jpeg
     
    cmezner, Ryro, Romancollector and 8 others like this.
  6. Magnus Maximus

    Magnus Maximus Dulce et Decorum est....

    Would anyone know what mint this one is from btw? The seller mentioned Tralles?
     
  7. ominus1

    ominus1 Well-Known Member

    those are purdy..but i'm like Mike and in the bronze age with these..:)
     
    Magnus Maximus likes this.
  8. David@PCC

    David@PCC allcoinage.com

    They are correct, I simply list is as Tralles it's a guess but probable.
    It is located in Westen Turkey.
     
    Magnus Maximus likes this.
  9. Magnus Maximus

    Magnus Maximus Dulce et Decorum est....

    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.
     
  10. Fereydoon

    Fereydoon Member

    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.

    15372.jpg

    Fb727Xn3w6TGKr65t9MSCog82EsWeH.jpg
     
    cmezner, Broucheion, Bing and 3 others like this.
  11. Magnus Maximus

    Magnus Maximus Dulce et Decorum est....

    @Fereydoon
    Nice pair of Tetradrachms!
    Antiochus II is in my opinion one of the more underrated Seleucid rulers.
     
  12. Fereydoon

    Fereydoon Member

    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
     
  13. cmezner

    cmezner do ut des Supporter

  14. Romancollector

    Romancollector Well-Known Member

    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
    Antiochus II tetradrachm 1.png
    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
     
  15. Magnus Maximus

    Magnus Maximus Dulce et Decorum est....

  16. Magnus Maximus

    Magnus Maximus Dulce et Decorum est....

    Coin looks much better struck in hand vs the sellers picks. I’m very satisfied!
    Antiochus II was hot :p

    AFB2E07F-4BE1-43A4-B4C4-BE90F7200693.png
     
    Bing, Romancollector and Johndakerftw like this.
  17. Fereydoon

    Fereydoon Member

    @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
     
  18. Magnus Maximus

    Magnus Maximus Dulce et Decorum est....

  19. Fereydoon

    Fereydoon Member

    @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!
     
  20. Magnus Maximus

    Magnus Maximus Dulce et Decorum est....

    @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!
     
  21. Fereydoon

    Fereydoon Member

    Absolutely Agree! Feels great in hand
     
Draft saved Draft deleted

Share This Page