SYRIA, Seleucis and Pieria. Antioch, SE 234 = 79/8 BC. Weight of 1 Mina (Lead, 103x101 mm, 806.00 g). ETOYΣ ΔΛΣ / ΔHMOΣIA - MNA Two crossed cornucopiae with central grain ear; to lower left, monogram. Rev. Lattice work design. Pondera 1617 var. (no grain ear and monogram). Very rare. Very fine.



The reading of the date is not entirely secure; AΛΣ = SE 231 = 82/1 BC is also conceivable. We prefer, however, the reading ΔΛΣ = SE 234 = 79/8 BC, especially since the same year is clearly legible on Pondera 3557. In any case, the impressive and particularly heavy mina weight of over 800 g was produced in the early years of Armenian control over the former Seleucid Empire. Tigranes II is thought to have occupied Antioch, likely at the invitation of its inhabitants, in 83 BC, and to have retained control until his defeat by Lucullus in 69 BC.