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SYRIA - SELEUKIS AND PIERIA - UNDER ROMAN ADMINISTRATION - AR Tetradrachme, Antiochia on the Orontes, ca. 47-13 BC
weight 14,01gr. ; silver Ø 25mm.
obv. Diademed head of Philippos right, fillet border
rev. Zeus seated left, clad in himation, hold Nikè with wreath in right
hand and sceptre in left hand, ANTY-monogram to inner left field,
ΛI-monogram beneath throne, BAΣIΛEΩΣ ΦIΛIΠΠOΥ to right,
EΠIΦANOΥΣ ΦIΛΛAΔEΛΦOΥ to left
In 49/8 BC the Caesarean era was established at Antiochia on the Orontes in connection with a grant autonomy from Julius Caesar. Caesar′s visit in the summer of 47 was followed by a resumption of coinage, dated to the Caesarean era and with a ANTY-monogram abbeviating the city′s name and autonomous status. This coinage continued through the reign of Augustus, until 14/3 BC. As part of the Roman policy the silver coinage was reinstituted with the types and legends of Philippos I Philadelphos. The choice of types was probably influenced by the fact that Philippos′ coinage was the last substantial issue of Seleukid silver and still formed the bulk of circulating currency in Syria in the mid-first century BC. These tetradrachms, minted under Roman rule, were minted at reduced weight. They are on average about 1 gram lighter than the original pieces of Philippos Philadelphos. An interesting historical coin.
HGC 9, 1360 ; SC.2491 ; McAlee 4-28
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SYRIA - SELEUKIS & PIERIA - LAODIKEIA AD MARE - AR Tetradrachm, year 13 (69/68 BC)
weight 15,01gr. ; silver Ø 26mm.
Aradian Standard.
obv. Veiled and turreted bust of Tyche of Laodikeia right,
within bead and reel border
rev. Zeus enthroned left, wearing himation over lower limbs, holding
long sceptre in left hand and Nikè holding wreath in right hand,
ΛAOΔIKEΩN / THΣ IEPAΣ KAI to right, AYTONOMOY to left,
ΓI in inner left field, ΠΛ-monogram beneath seat of throne,
KA in exergue, whole in laurel-wreath
Before the city received a grant of autonomy, in circa 81/80 BC, coins were already minted in this city. This coinage started under the early Seleukid kings. Circa 80 BC it started producing autonomous coins; in particular tetradrachms to the Aradian standard (ca. 15 gr,) but also series of bronze coins for local use. Until 49/48 BC, Laodikeia′s coinage was dated to a civic era starting in 81/80 BC (= year 1), but after the city′s refoundation in 47 BC as Ioulieia this era was replaced by a ′Caesarean′ era. After 46/5 BC they went over to the lighter Tyrian standard (ca.14gr.)
Only one other specimen was known to Mørkholm with this date.
Extremely rare as such.
BMC - (cf.4) ; Mørkholm, Laodicea, 7 ; HGC 9, no. 1398 RRR
some scratches on the obverse
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