This is one of the coins I won in the Leu Auction of today. It is a tetradrachm from the Seleukid king Antiochos VIII Epiphanes, also nicknamed 'hook nose'(Grypos). I wanted to have a tetradrachm from this ruler for some time, but I was waiting for the right condition and price. 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. Weight: 16,26g Size: 27mm, 12h What is extra special about this coin is that this is not the 'ordinary' Antiochos VIII tetradrachms that are mostly for sale. These tetradrachms are from his first and third reign at Antioch on the Orontes, from about 121 to 113 BC (8 years) and 109/108 to ca. 97 B.C. (10 years). The tetradrachm I won is from his 2nd, and shortest reign at Antioch, from only 112 to 111/110 BC (around 2 years), which makes this coin a lot more uncommon. Let me explain these reigns a little bit more. Antiochos VIII was with his half-brother Antiochos IX in opposition to rule Syria. This ofcourse resulted in warring between the brother, and they were constantly fighting to rule the 'capital' Antioch on the Orontes. Antiochos VIII defeated Alexander II Zabinas in the third year of the 164th Olympiad (121 BC) and reigned until the fourth year of the 166th (113 BC), at which time he was driven out of Antioch by his half-brother Antiochos IX and was compelled to seek refuge in the Pamphylian city of Aspendos. Antiochos IX reigned independently in the fall of the same year until the summer of the first year of the 167th Olympiad (112 BC), where Antiochos VIII returned and deposed him again. Antiochos VIII ruled for another 2 years (his 2nd reign), losing it once more to his brother in the year 110/09 BC. After which he returned and held it until he was assassinated by the general Herakleon in 97/6 BC. His place at Antioch was again taken up by Antiochus IX, who reigned there until the first or, less likely, the second or third year of the 171st Olympiad (96/95 BC), when he was killed by Seleukos VI, the son of Antiochos VIII. What an interesting but tiring reign for both Antiochos VIII and Antiochos IX! Post your Antiochos VIII and Antiochos IX coins!
That's a nice tet, you have been racking them up lately. I missed out on an Achaios from the same sale. 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 Antiochus IX Mint: Unknown 114 to 95 BC Obvs: Helmeted head of Athena right. Revs: BAΣIΛEΩΣ ANTIOXOY ΦIΛOΠATOPOΣ, prow right. AE 14mm, 1.95g Ref: SC 2378.1
Thank you all! I look forward seeing your Leu additions, or other Seleukid coins. Great coins David, that tetradrachm is also a bit more uncommon when minted in Sidon. I saw that Achaios coin, it is a very interesting issue but it got quite pricy.
Antiochos VIII Tetradrachm 116-114 B.C. Ake Ptolemais Rv. Zeus Uranius stg l. SC 2336/2 16.08 grms 34 mm
Pavlos, Nice score on your Tet of Antiochus VIII . The portrait is attractive & Zeus Uranius is well done too. The coin pictured below I sold at a Heritage auction about 2 1/2 years ago. It is from the same mint & year of issue as the one posted by David . BTW, my coin sold for $840.00 .
Antiochos VIII Ar Tetradrachm Antioch 112-110 B.C. Rv. Zeus Uranius stg left. SC 2302/1 HGC 1196d 16.38 grms 35 mm
