Seleucid Antiochos VI Dionysos AR Drachm Antioch 143–142 BC spiked helmet

Antiochos VI Dionysos, Drachm, Silver, reign 145–142 BC, struck 143–142 BC, 4.17 g, 17 mm.

Seleucid Empire, Antioch on the Orontes. Anepigraphic obverse with radiate, diademed head of Antiochos VI right. Reverse: BAΣΙΛΕΩΣ ANTIOXOY EΠIΦANOYΣ ΔIONYΣOY; spiked Macedonian helmet with cheek guards right, adorned with a wild goat’s horn above the visor. Struck at Antioch; centered on a compact flan with complete reverse legend; vertical flan crack from 12 to 6 o’clock. SC 2003a. Antiochos VI was installed as a child king by the general Diodotos Tryphon during the Seleucid civil war against Demetrios II. The radiate portrait and the epithet Epiphanes Dionysos project divine associations used to legitimize the regime, while the Macedonian helmet type evokes the dynasty’s military heritage. This short-lived issue at Antioch financed and publicized Tryphon’s authority as regent before he deposed the boy in 142 BC and assumed the throne himself.