Roma Numismatics Ltd
E-Sale 91 2 Dec 2021
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Seleukid Empire, Antiochos (son of Seleukos IV) AR Tetradrachm. Antioch, circa 175 BC. Diademed head to right / Apollo Delphios seated to left on omphalos, holding arrow and resting hand on bow; ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ to right, ANTIOXOY and tripod to left, uncertain control in exergue. SC 1369; HGC 9, 611. 16.52g, 28mm, 12h.
Near Extremely Fine. Very Rare.
From the inventory of a UK dealer.
An episode seemingly unknown to or forgotten by the ancient writers, the very brief reign of Antiochos, the younger son of Seleukos IV, is attested to by a surprisingly sizeable output of coinage in the material record, consisting of oktadrachms that feature the conjoined busts of Antiochos and his mother, Queen Laodike IV, and drachms and tetradrachms such as the present piece bearing the portrait and name of the young boy king. Heliodoros, the minister responsible for the murder of Seleukos IV, is supposed to have elevated the young Antiochos in the belief that the power of the throne would reside in his hands, installing the regency of Laodike as a necessity. However, Seleukos IV's younger brother Antiochos, who had been held hostage in Rome under the Treaty of Apameia until his replacement with Demetrios, elder son of Seleukos IV, swiftly moved to march on Syria with an army and claim his rightful place on the throne as Antiochos IV, abruptly changing the arrangements Heliodoros had instigated. He adopted his nephew, associated him with his rule, and married the boy's mother, his brother's widow. Thus, Antiochos the younger son of Seleukos IV survived a few years more until 170 when a son was born to his uncle, and he had the young Antiochos killed.
Near Extremely Fine. Very Rare.
From the inventory of a UK dealer.
An episode seemingly unknown to or forgotten by the ancient writers, the very brief reign of Antiochos, the younger son of Seleukos IV, is attested to by a surprisingly sizeable output of coinage in the material record, consisting of oktadrachms that feature the conjoined busts of Antiochos and his mother, Queen Laodike IV, and drachms and tetradrachms such as the present piece bearing the portrait and name of the young boy king. Heliodoros, the minister responsible for the murder of Seleukos IV, is supposed to have elevated the young Antiochos in the belief that the power of the throne would reside in his hands, installing the regency of Laodike as a necessity. However, Seleukos IV's younger brother Antiochos, who had been held hostage in Rome under the Treaty of Apameia until his replacement with Demetrios, elder son of Seleukos IV, swiftly moved to march on Syria with an army and claim his rightful place on the throne as Antiochos IV, abruptly changing the arrangements Heliodoros had instigated. He adopted his nephew, associated him with his rule, and married the boy's mother, his brother's widow. Thus, Antiochos the younger son of Seleukos IV survived a few years more until 170 when a son was born to his uncle, and he had the young Antiochos killed.