ANTIOCHUS VI SILVER TETRADRACHM – SCARCE ISSUE OF YEAR 170 FROM ANTIOCH ON THE ORONTES – XF NGC GRADED GREEK SELEUCID KINGDOM COIN (Inv. 19885)

$1,950.00

19885. SELEUCID KINGDOM. ANTIOCHUS VI, 144–142 BC.
Silver Tetradrachm, 16.63 g, 30 mm. Issue of Antioch on the Orontes, dated Seleucid era year 170 (143/2 BC).
Obv. Radiate and diademed head of Antiochus VI right. Rev. BAΣIΛEΩΣ ANTIOXOY EΠIΦANOYΣ ΔIONYΣOY, the Dioscuri on horseback left, OP (date) below horses, TPY above XAP monogram above ΣTA in right field, all within wreath of laurel, ivy leaves, grain ears and lotus blossoms.
SC, 2000.3b; SMA 242; HGC 9, 1032.
Ex Central Texas Collection, acquired from Nilus Coins, inv. 31055 (with old dealer’s ticket).
XF, hints of colorful toning on the obverse; a scarce variety with some 4 specimens on CoinArchives and ca. 13 pieces on SixBid Classical Archives (may be encapsulated upon request).

Antiochus VI Dionysus, a child who was probably about nine years old in 143/2 BC, when this attractive tetradrachm was struck, had been promoted by the general Diodotus Tryphon to challenge the hated Demetrius II Nicator in 144 BC. Thanks to growing popular support for the boy, the revolt engineered by Tryphon at Apamea quickly allowed for the expulsion of Demetrius II from Antioch and the placement of Antiochus VI on the throne in the Syrian capital. Unfortunately, by the time this tetradrachm was produced at Antioch, Tryphon was becoming tired of the child figurehead king and plotted to take power for himself. Early in the next year, 142/1 BC, Antiochus VI died under suspicious circumstances while undergoing surgery and Tryphon became king.
The reverse type, which features the Dioscuri rather than typical Seleucid deities like Apollo and Zeus, seems to consciously set the reign of Antiochus VI apart from those of other Seleucid kings, especially that of Demetrius II. At the same time, the unusual wreath combining, ivy, grain and flowers on the reverse associates him with Dionysus, a prominent god at Apamea, the epicenter of the revolt that placed Antiochus VI on the throne.