Antiochos II Theos, 361-246 BC, Tetradrachm

Antiochos II Theos, Tetradrachm, Silver, Reign of Antiochos II Theos, 261-246 BC, Minted in Seleukeia on the Tigris. Weight: 16.75g, Diameter: 27mm. The obverse features a finely executed diademed head of Antiochos I facing right, showcasing detailed features and an expressive likeness. The reverse displays the legend ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΝΤΙΟΧΟΥ encircling an enthroned Apollo holding a bow and arrow, a symbol of divine favor and military might. The strike is well-centered and sharp, allowing for excellent detail and preservation. References for this piece include SC-587.1c. This tetradrachm reflects the Hellenistic period's intricate craftsmanship under the Seleucid Empire. Antiochos II Theos was a ruler known for maintaining the empire's strength while dealing with internal conflicts and external pressures, such as the Ptolemaic War and the rebellion of the satrap Diodotus in Bactria. Coins like this serve as a testament to his reign and the era's complex geopolitical dynamics.