Antiochos VII Evergetes, 138-129 BC, Tetradrachm

Antiochos VII Euergetes (Sidetes), Tetradrachm, AR, 138–129 BC, 15.12 g, 28 mm. Antioch on the Orontes mint. Obverse: Diademed head of Antiochos VII right. Reverse: BAΣIΛEΩΣ ANTIOXOY EYEPΓETOY; Athena standing left, holding Nike and spear. Struck at Antioch during the reign of Antiochos VII. Ref: SNG Spaer 1846.

Antiochos VII Sidetes was the last Seleucid ruler to restore central authority across much of the kingdom, defeating the usurper Tryphon, extracting terms from the Hasmoneans, and briefly recovering Mesopotamia and Media from the Parthians before his death in 129 BC. His coinage at Antioch emphasized traditional Seleucid royal iconography and the epithet “Euergetes” (“Benefactor”), reflecting his efforts to stabilize the dynasty’s finances and legitimize his rule during a period of contraction and external threat.