Roma Numismatics Ltd
E-Sale 100 28 Jul 2022
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Seleukid Empire, Antiochos(?), (son of Seleukos IV) AR Drachm. Antioch on the Orontes, 175 BC. Diademed head to right / [B]AΣIΛEΩΣ ANTIOXOY, Apollo seated to left on omphalos, testing arrow and putting hand on grounded bow; tripod(?) to outer left. SC 1370 var. (no monogram in exergue). 4.20g, 19mm, 12h.
Very Fine. Very Rare.
From a private North American collection.
The symbol in the outer field of this coin resembles a tripod, but the wear on the surface and the slightly wavy style, along with the lack of monogram in exergue makes this attribution to Antiochos (son of Seleukos IV) tentative despite the other elements of the coin which align with this type.
The very brief reign of Antiochos (the younger son of Seleukos IV) is an episode seemingly unknown to or forgotten by the ancient writers, but is attested to by a surprisingly sizeable output of coinage 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, supposedly elevated the young Antiochos in the belief that he himself would act as regent. However, Seleukos IV's younger brother Antiochos, who until that time had been held hostage in Rome under the Treaty of Apameia until he was exchanged with Demetrios (the elder son of Seleukos IV), swiftly marched on Syria in 175 BC and claimed the throne as Antiochos IV. Antiochos IV adopted his nephew, associated him with his rule, and married his mother, his brother's widow. The young Antiochos survived a few years more until 170 BC when a son was born to his uncle, after which he died, possibly on the orders of his uncle.
Very Fine. Very Rare.
From a private North American collection.
The symbol in the outer field of this coin resembles a tripod, but the wear on the surface and the slightly wavy style, along with the lack of monogram in exergue makes this attribution to Antiochos (son of Seleukos IV) tentative despite the other elements of the coin which align with this type.
The very brief reign of Antiochos (the younger son of Seleukos IV) is an episode seemingly unknown to or forgotten by the ancient writers, but is attested to by a surprisingly sizeable output of coinage 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, supposedly elevated the young Antiochos in the belief that he himself would act as regent. However, Seleukos IV's younger brother Antiochos, who until that time had been held hostage in Rome under the Treaty of Apameia until he was exchanged with Demetrios (the elder son of Seleukos IV), swiftly marched on Syria in 175 BC and claimed the throne as Antiochos IV. Antiochos IV adopted his nephew, associated him with his rule, and married his mother, his brother's widow. The young Antiochos survived a few years more until 170 BC when a son was born to his uncle, after which he died, possibly on the orders of his uncle.