Nomos AG
obolos 24 21 Aug 2022
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SELEUKID KINGS OF SYRIA. Antiochos IV Epiphanes, 175-164 BC. Chalkous (Bronze, 13 mm, 3.34 g, 12 h), uncertain mint, probably in Samaria, circa 168-164. Diademed and radiate head of Antiochos IV to right; behind, denomination mark (A/X). Rev. ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΝΤΙΟΧΟΥ Goddess enthroned left, holding Nike in her extended right hand; at her feet to left, bird standing left; below throne, H. HGC 9, 638a (S). SC 1489.2d. Suse pl. LXXIV, 17. Extremely rare in such lovely condition. Glossy, dark olive-green patina. About extremely fine.
From the Thomas Kirby Collection, USA.
An interesting feature of this exceptionally nice example of a fairly common issue is the denomination mark for a chalkous, a monogram combining the Greek letters A and X, behind the head of Antiochos on the obverse. This is unprecedented in the entirety of Seleukid coinage, and is also noteworthy for its size and weight: a chalkous typically measured between 8 and 12 mm in diameter and weighed 1-2 g, but these chalkoi of Antiochos IV typically are larger and heavier, weighing 3-4 g on average. The bird at the foot of the goddess on the reverse is also interesting. While at first glance one might think it an eagle, clear examples sometimes show a long-billed water bird. The mint for this issue is not certain, with Barag arguing for a mint at Jerusalem. However, find evidence supports a mint in Samaria or at Nysa-Scythopolis (Beth Shean), both of which had Macedonian military colonies under the command of the governor Apollonios, who conducted campaigns in the region against Judas Maccabaeus.
From the Thomas Kirby Collection, USA.
An interesting feature of this exceptionally nice example of a fairly common issue is the denomination mark for a chalkous, a monogram combining the Greek letters A and X, behind the head of Antiochos on the obverse. This is unprecedented in the entirety of Seleukid coinage, and is also noteworthy for its size and weight: a chalkous typically measured between 8 and 12 mm in diameter and weighed 1-2 g, but these chalkoi of Antiochos IV typically are larger and heavier, weighing 3-4 g on average. The bird at the foot of the goddess on the reverse is also interesting. While at first glance one might think it an eagle, clear examples sometimes show a long-billed water bird. The mint for this issue is not certain, with Barag arguing for a mint at Jerusalem. However, find evidence supports a mint in Samaria or at Nysa-Scythopolis (Beth Shean), both of which had Macedonian military colonies under the command of the governor Apollonios, who conducted campaigns in the region against Judas Maccabaeus.