One of the finest portraits on a Seleucid Tetradrachm

Hi everyone,
I am currently paying off this coin, but I had to share the portrait with the ancients section here.

Coin portraits of the hellenistic age are very detailed and realistic, but this coin's is a jaw dropper. When I first saw it I stared at my computer screen for about ten minutes admiring the aging portrait of Antiochus I Soter. Something about his facial features just speaks to me on a primordial level; maybe something along the old saying that "remember that you will die". I just can't find the words, but seeing an aged Antiochus I with his eyes gazing to the sky makes me feel sad and realize my own mortality.

Feel free to post anything.


I do have a write up in the pipe line for later in June involving this coin and the city of Troy, so I won't spoil too much info about it.

 

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Antiochos I, Soter; 280-261 B.C.; AR Tetradrachm (29mm; 17.08 gm; 10h). Obv: Diademed head of Antiochos I right. Rev: BAΣIΛEΩΣ ANTIOXOY, Apollo Delphios seated left on omphalos, testing arrow in his r. hand, and holding bow in his left hand; monograms to outer left and right. Newell ESM 162 (265-264 B.C.) Plate XV, 1; SC 379.6a, Seleukeia on the Tigris mint.

 

Wonderful tetradrachm from Phocaea, a great portrait and rarity!

I love the portrait of my Alexander I Balas tetradrachm, hence it is my profile picture.

Seleukid Empire. Alexander I (Balas), 152/1-145 BC. AR Tetradrachm. Tyre mint. Dated SE 167 (146/5 BC).
Obverse: Diademed and draped bust of Alexander Balas right.
Reverse: Eagle standing left on prow of galley, palm-branch over right shoulder; club surmounted by monogram to left, ΙΞΡ (date) and monogram to right.
Reference: SNG Spaer 1545-1546; Newell, Tyre 79; Houghton 749.
13.73g (Phoenican standard)

 

Congrats on another great addition @Magnus Maximus that is a lovely coin. Might that be the Phocaea mint that involves Troy? I look forward to the post.

I've always thought Antiochos looks like a man worn out by the challenge if holding the empire together. Here is one of my tets of him from Seleukia on the Tigris. Pardon the horrible cell phone pictures.

 

Very true.

Let’s just say that the Trojans May have taken Antiochus’s nickname a bit too seriously.

 

..that's a dandy!...and kinda looks like somebody i know...

 

Nice portraits! I also like the realism of Hellenistic art. Here are two of my favorite examples, also from Seleucid coinage (drachms in this case):


Demetrios I Soter (162-150 BC)


Antiochus VII Euergetes (138-129 BC)

And here are the coins at the feet of a small replica of a famous Hellenistic statue of Nike, the "Winged Victory of Samothrace," which was sculpted circa 200-190 BC, just a few decades before these coins were struck. This beautiful work of art was recently restored (2013-14), and is displayed in the Louvre.

 

Is there any significance recognized in the upturned ties on the headband as shown on the OP coin? Compare the very straight ones on PeteB's coin and the curved ones on mine. My poor example was my first tetradrachm other than from Athens and joined me in 1987.

 

Very nice, lifelike, and finely detailed Tet, @Magnus Maximus ! Great find, congrats.

Since you stated to post anything, and you are planning a thread on your Tet’s relationship to Troy: here is a Coin just down the road from Troy

TROAS

Troas Birytis 350-300 BCE Æ 9mm1.21g Hd Kabeiros L pileos - two stars above Club within wreath SNG Cop 249 Left

 

Excellent coins all!

 

A man with the weight of the world on his shoulders it seems. Almost as if he is asking for divine help.....or ANY help!!

Seleukid Empire, Antiochos I Soter AR Tetradrachm. Seleukeia on the Tigris, circa 281-261 BC. Diademed head right / Apollo seated to left on omphalos, holding bow in left hand and sighting along arrow held in right; ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ to right, ΑΝΤΙΟΧΟΥ to left, monograms to outer left and right. SC 379.4; HGC 9, 128g. 17.08g, 26mm, 2h.