Lot 4067
Attica, Athens. Silver New Style Tetradrachm (16.7g) struck 130 BC. Antiochos, Karaichos, and Protoge: magistrates. Head right of Athena, in triple-crested Attic helmet adorned with palmette on bowl, Pegasos at crown, and four horse protomes above visor, and wearing pendant earring. Reverse: A - ΘE. Owl standing right, head facing, on overturned amphora inscribed I; to right, elephant standing right; in fields, ANT[I] - OΧO / KAPA- / IΧOΣ / ΠPΩ- / TOΓE; below, ΣΩ; around all, laurel wreath. Thompson 398. Lightly toned. Superb Extremely Fine.
The appearance of the name 'Antiochos' combined with an elephant symbol was long regarded by early numismatists as one of the few fixed points in the creation of a satisfactory chronology for the New Style Athenian series. Various attempts were made to establish a common identity between this magistrate and either Antiochos IV (who was living in exile prior to his accession to the Syrian throne in 175 BC) or Antiochos VII (who was in exile in the 140s). However, both Thompson's date for this type (163/162 BC) and Mørkholm's more likely estimate of 131/130 BC preclude a direct connection with the Seleukid monarchy. Since Antiochos was a common enough name in Attic prosopography, this magistrate should be regarded as an Athenian aristocrat, with the elephant symbol merely an allusion to the Seleukid dynasty, so many of whose kings bore this name.
Estimated Value $1,000 - 1,300.
The Hunter Collection.
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| Realized $2,415 |
