KINGS OF COMMAGENE. Antiochos IV Epiphanes, with Iotape, 38-72. Oktachalkon (Bronze, 24 mm, 9.17 g, 12 h), Elauissa-Sebaste. BAΣΙΛEΩΣ MEΓAΛOY A[NTIOXOY EΠΙΦAN] Diademed head of Antiochos IV to right; behind, E.
Rev. BAΣΙΛΙΣΣA ΙΩTAΠH / ΣEBAΣTHNΩN Iotape seated left on throne, holding patera in her right hand and scepter in her left; in field to right, H / A above monogram of ΔT (?). Kovacs 275 var. (differing reverse controls). RPC I 3718 var. (differing reverse controls). An apparently unpublished variety of a very rare issue. The obverse struck slightly off center
, otherwise, very fine.
From the collection of an Armenian businessman, acquired before 2021, ex Leu 7, 24-25 October 2020, 1334 and previously from an important collection of Armenian coins.
The very rare coins of Antochos IV showing his sister-queen Iotape on the reverse were civic issues from a number of Cilician cities under his rule, namely Anemourion, Kelenderis, Kietis, Korykos, Elaiussa-Sebaste and Selinos. In 72, Antiochos IV was deposed by Vespasian on charges of conspiring with Parthia, but he was allowed to live in full honors for the rest of his life in Sparta and Rome.
