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Research Coins: Electronic Auction

 

Rare Antiochos V Drachm - Timarchos-Related Issue

175, Lot: 110. Estimate $150.
Sold for $205. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

SELEUKID KINGS of SYRIA. Antiochos V Eupator. 164-162 BC. AR Drachm (17mm, 4.23 g, 12h). Uncertain mint in western Media. Diademed head right; AB behind / Apollo Delphios seated left on omphalos, testing arrow and holding bow; ASK to outer left. SNG Spaer 1234 (same obv. die); Houghton -; BMC 2 (same obv. die). VF, lightly toned, typical crude strike. Rare.


Originally given to Ekbatana mint, all of Antiochos' coinage of that mint has been reassigned by Houghton and Lorber (SC Part 2, forthcoming) to an uncertain mint in western Media. It is uncertain why Ekbatana was not striking during the reign of Antiochos V, but it is suggested that the revolt of Timarchos may have begun during Antiochos' reign and was not recorded by the western historians until Timarchos sought recognition from Rome later, during the reign of Antiochos' successor, Demetrios I. The authors note that there have been a number of military sites uncovered in western Media during this period, and it is possible that a mint was set up to fund military activity, ostensibly to counter the revolt. This mint continued to strike coinage under Demetrios I, even after the resumption of coinage at Ekbatana.