Antiochos VII Evergetes, 138-129 BC, Tetradrachm

Antiochos VII Euergetes (Sidetes), Tetradrachm, AR, 138–129 BC, 14.99 g, 28 mm. Obverse: Diademed head of Antiochos VII right. Reverse: BAΣΙΛΕΩΣ ANTIOXOY EYEPΓETOY. Struck at Tarsus (Cilicia), 138–129 BC, on the Attic standard. SC 2055.4.

Antiochos VII, known as Euergetes (“Benefactor”), was the last Seleucid ruler to regain substantial territories from the Parthians, conducting successful campaigns in 130–129 BC before being killed during Phraates II’s counteroffensive. His coinage supported large-scale military operations and administrative consolidation, with Cilician mints such as Tarsus supplying silver on the Attic standard for regional circulation across Syria and Cilicia; the explicit royal titulature on these issues underscores the dynasty’s claim to continuity amid the shrinking Hellenistic kingdoms of the late second century BC.