Owner Comments:
The obverse of this tetradrachm depicts Antiochus VII (c. 159 – 129 BC), who was ruler in the waning days of the Seleucid Empire. On the reverse, Athena, the Greek goddess of war (among other attributes) holds Nike, her divine counterpart representing victory. During Antiochus’ reign, he produced two varieties of tetradrachms, one with Athena on the reverse, such as this one, and another variety with an eagle on the verso (this other variety is included in this set).
Although Antiochus VII is decipted on the coin, he did not produce it. Instead this coin was struck posthumously (perhaps two decades later) in the Anatolian realm known as the Cappadocian Kingdom, based on the coin’s specific designs and symbols. This coin was likely struck under the Cappadocian monorch Ariarathes VII between 104 and 102 BC.
Why Ariarathes choose Antiochus’ portrait, rather than his own, it not known for certain. These coins may have been intended for Syrian mercenaries, who preferred Antiochus’ coin with the Athena reverse. If true, it would not be the first time an ancient ruler produced coins for the specific purpose of recruiting mercenary forces (for another example, see the drachm in this set stuck by Perseus of Macedon).
Additional Reading: CC Lorber and A Houghton, “Cappadocian Tetradrachms in the Name of Antiochus VII,” Numismatic Chronicle 166 (2006), pp. 49-97.
Coin Details: SELEUCID KINGDOM, Antiochus VII, 138-129 BC, AR Tetradrachm (16.44 g), Posthumous issue of the Kingdom of Cappadocia, minted 104-102 BC in Ariaratheia or Eusebia-Tyrana mint, NGC Grade: MS*, Strike: 5/5, Surface: 5/5, Obverse: Diademed head right, Reverse: Athena standing left holding Nike and spear, resting on shield with aegis, monograms left, ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΝΤΙΟXΟΥ ΕΥΕΡΓΕΤΟΥ, O-Λ flanking figure. References: Newell, SMA 298; BMC 24; Spear 1873.