Antioch (Seleucia Pieria), tetrachalkon, bronze, civic authority of the

Antioch (Seleucia Pieria), tetrachalkon, bronze, civic authority of the 1st century BC, struck 1st century BC, weight 8.0 g, diameter 23 mm. Obverse: laureate head of Zeus facing right, legend ANTIOXEΩN THΣ MHTROΠOΛEΣ around. Reverse: Eusebeia Nikephoros seated left on throne, holding sceptre; field otherwise anepigraphic; reference RPC I 4216. Strike: hammered, generally well-centered with typical 1st-century-BC flan edges. Toning: stable dark olive-brown patina with lighter earthen deposits. References: RPC I 4216; RPC Online entry shows low census figures for the type. The port city of Seleucia Pieria served Antioch, capital of the late Seleucid kingdom and later a major provincial centre under Roman control. Civic bronzes such as this tetrachalkon filled everyday monetary needs after the reduction of royal silver issues. The portrait of Zeus reflects the city’s traditional patron deity, while the figure of Eusebeia Nikephoros promotes civic ideals of piety and victory during a period marked by internal Seleucid struggles and increasing Roman influence. The coin illustrates local autonomy in bronze coinage shortly before formal Roman provincial administration absorbed the region.