SELEUKID KINGS. Antiochos III ‘the Great’, 222-187 BC. Tetradrachm (Silver, 31 mm, 16.81 g, 12 h), uncertain mint 68, in northern Mesopotamia, 192/9-187. Diademed head of Antiochos III to right. Rev. BAΣIΛEΩΣ - ANTIOXOY Apollo seated left on omphalos, holding arrow in his right hand and resting his left on grounded bow; in exergue, three monograms. SC -, cf. 1133.13 (differing monograms). Apparently unpublished with these monograms. Struck from somewhat worn dies, otherwise, good very fine.


While this coin features a beautiful portrait of fine style, the reverse legend in general and the monograms in particular are very clumsy. Either the artist was not entirely confident in his writing skills, or the reverse die was crafted by a different die cutter altogether.