SELEUKID KINGS. Antiochos IV Epiphanes, 175-164 BC. Tetradrachm (Silver, 34 mm, 16.74 g, 12 h), Antiochia on the Orontes, 168-164. Diademed head of Antiochos IV to right.
Rev. BAΣIΛEΩΣ / ANTIOΧOY - ΘEOY / EΠIΦANOYΣ - NIKHΦOPOY Zeus seated left, holding Nike in his right hand and long scepter in his left; to outer left, monogram of ΔI. Newell, Antioch, 67. Le Rider, Antioche, 349-350 (A33/P247). SC 1400a. Fresh and sharp, a splendid coin. Minor die break on the obverse
, otherwise, good extremely fine.
From the Basileiai Hellēnikai Collection of Exceptional Tetradrachms, ex Leu 10, 24 October 2021, 2210, and previously from a Bavarian collection, ex Gorny & Mosch 138, 7 March 2005, 147.
This magnificent portrait of Antiochos IV presents an idealized image of a youthful, energetic king. It is undoubtedly one of the finest depictions of this capable and important Seleukid ruler, whose cultural and historical impact - particularly through his persecution of the Jewish religion - can hardly be overstated. As the 'persecutor king', he stands at the beginning of the long and bitter conflicts between the Seleukid dynasty and the Maccabees, who, after decades of fierce struggle, eventually succeeded in establishing themselves in Judaea as the independent Hasmonean dynasty
