Leu Numismatik AG
Web Auction 7 23-24 Feb 2019
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CARIA. Antioch ad Maeandrum. Circa 168/150-133 BC. Tetradrachm (Silver, 26 mm, 16.16 g, 1 h), Diotrephes, magistrate. Laureate head of Apollo to right with bow and quiver over his shoulder. Rev. ANTIOXE/ΩN - ΔIOTPΕΦΗΣ Zebu bull standing left on maeander pattern. BMC -. HN online 1528 (three specimens). Leschhorn, Lexicon of Greek Coin Inscriptions -. Leu 3 (2018), 102 (same obverse die). McClean -. SNG Copenhagen -. SNG Lockett -. SNG von Aulock -. Weber -. Winterthur -. Extremely rare. Very fine.
What sets this issue apart from other Antiochian tetradrachms showing Apollo is that his head here shows a surprising individuality: it is clearly reminiscent of Seleukid royal portraits, most notably that of Demetrios II in his first reign (146-138 BC), which is a radical change to the design that can hardly have been a coincidence.
What sets this issue apart from other Antiochian tetradrachms showing Apollo is that his head here shows a surprising individuality: it is clearly reminiscent of Seleukid royal portraits, most notably that of Demetrios II in his first reign (146-138 BC), which is a radical change to the design that can hardly have been a coincidence.