SELEUKID KINGS. Antiochos VIII Epiphanes (Grypos), 121/0-97/6 BC. Tetradrachm (Silver, 30 mm, 16.50 g, 12 h), Ake-Ptolemais, circa 121-113. Diademed head of Antiochos VIII to right. Rev. BAΣIΛEΩΣ / ANTIOXOY - EΠIΦANOYΣ Zeus Ouranios standing front, head to left, holding star in his right hand and long scepter in his left; above, crescent; to left, monogram; all within laurel wreath. LSM 35. SC 2336.2a. Beautifully toned and with a splendid portrait. Small die break on the cheek, otherwise, extremely fine.

Antiochos VIII introduced a new royal reverse type featuring the standing Zeus Ouranios. He holds a star in his right hand and a long scepter in his left, with a crescent moon above him - symbols of cosmic power and divine order. The cult of Zeus Ouranios was closely associated with celestial supremacy and likely reflects syncretistic religious ideas of the Seleukids, who merged Greek and Oriental elements