SELEUKID KINGS OF SYRIA. Antiochos VII Euergetes (Sidetes), 138-129 BC. AE (Bronze, 19 mm, 5.27 g, 12 h), Seleukeia on the Tigris, late summer 130-autumn 129. Diademed head of Antiochos VII to right.
Rev. [Β]ΑΣΙΛ[ΕΩΣ] - ΑΝΤΙΟΧ[ΟΥ] / ΕΥΕΡΓΕΤ[ΟΥ] Nike standing front, head to left, holding wreath before her face in her right hand and palm frond over left shoulder; ΑΓ monogram before her feet; in exergue, (ΓΠΡ) (date). HGC 9, 1095. SC 2129.1. Rare and unusually attractive for this historically important issue. Struck from a somewhat worn obverse die
, otherwise, good very fine.
From a European collection, formed before 2005.
This beautiful bronze coin was struck at a key moment in Seleukid history, namely shortly after Antiochos VII recaptured Seleukeia on the Tigris from the Parthians in late 130. Unfortunately for the dynasty, despite its impressive initial military successes, this last major offensive ended in disaster, as the king was ambushed in Media by a large Parthian army in early 129. Since he only had a small part of his army with him at the time, Antiochus VII was overwhelmed by his enemies and the last capable Seleucid ruler died in battle. As a result, the Parthians recaptured all of Media and Mesopotamia, and the once mighty Seleukid Empire was reduced to a middle power.
