Name that Ancient Ruler

The figure on obverse of this ancient coin seems familiar to me. I've never seen it on a coin myself but possibly in some books of History. Could you please assist me to identify both obverse and reverse? Thanks.. Charles

 

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The obverse portrait looks Seleukid like Sidetes or Grypos. The text to the left of (Athena?) might tell you Antiochos VII (Sidetes) or Antiochos VIII (Grypos). I believe that Athena is on the reverse of my Antiochos VII (Sidetes) coin. That is my best guess without books or straining my eyes.

Edit to add: Please wait for someone that really knows the series to chime-in.

 

Absolutely strange for me. I will check these names in my Encyclopedia.I do appreciate your assistance C9.
Charles

 

It's Alexander II Zebina, or sometimes it's written Zabinas. The reverse is Dionysos standing left, holding kantharos and thyrsos. The inscription on the reverse is ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΛΕΞΑΝ∆ΡΟΥ. These coins are dated, but I can't quite read the numerals under Dionysos' arm.

Zabinas means "purchased slave" - it was a derogatory nickname. He was basically a usurper, and not a Seleucid at all, although he managed to rule parts of Syria for about six years.

This coin is rather typical of Seleucid bronze minting style. The flans were beveled, so the anvil die was completely covered and gave a good rendition of the king's bust, but the reverse was cheated, being a smaller surface.

 

looks like young kid

 

We don't know when he was born, so it's impossible to say how old he was when he ruled. Also, Seleucid portraits tend to be stylized toward youthful, even on coins of older emperors.

 

A ruling usurper coin.. Could it be considered rare among all coins of the Seleucid era ? It weighs 7.10 g. Did it have any denomination? Thanks.. Charles

 

Well, the coins of Zabinas are available at prices I can afford, which means one of two things: 1. They're not rare, or 2. Nobody wants them that much.

As far as denominations go, like so many ancient coins, we don't know the original names. There is a neutral, alphabetic system in place for Seleucid bronze. Your coin would be Denomination B (6.5-9.3g).