Kleopatra Thea & Antiochos VIII, 125-121 BC, Tetradrachm

Kleopatra Thea and Antiochos VIII, tetradrachm, AR, 125–121 BC, 16.48 g, 28 mm. Damascus mint. Obverse with jugate busts right of Cleopatra Thea, diademed, veiled, and wearing stephane, before Antiochos VIII, diademed. Reverse with legend BAΣΙΛΙΣΣΗΣ ΚΛΕΟΠΑΤΡΑΣ ΘΕΑΣ ΚΑΙ ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΝΤΙΟΧΟΥ. Struck at Damascus on the late Seleucid silver standard, consistent with the fabric of this series. SC 2267. This joint issue marks Cleopatra Thea’s regency for her son Antiochos VIII following his accession in 125 BC, a period when her authority is explicitly stated by her name preceding the king’s in the legend. Minted at Damascus, a principal Seleucid mint in Coele-Syria, the type provides primary evidence for the political arrangement of mother and son during the consolidation against rival claimants, and the series concludes with Cleopatra Thea’s death in 121 BC.