Seleucid Empire Antiochos VII Euergetes AR Tetradrachm Antioch 138–129 BC

Antiochos VII Euergetes, tetradrachm, silver, reign 138–129 BC, struck 138–129 BC at Antioch on the Orontes; 16.85 g; 30 mm. Obv: anepigraphic; diademed head of Antiochos VII right, with very long hair at the nape. Rev: BAΣΙΛΕΩΣ ANTIOXOY EYEPΓETOY; Athena standing left, resting left hand on grounded shield and holding Nike left; vertical spear rising from her arm; control mark in left field. Struck on a broad flan, centered with complete legend; even circulation wear and light granular surfaces. Reference: SC 2146.5. Seleucid Empire.

Historical significance: Antiochos VII (also called Sidetes) restored central Seleucid authority after civil war, defeating Diodotus Tryphon, conducting a campaign in Judaea that ended with a negotiated settlement at Jerusalem in 134/3 BC, and briefly recovering Babylonia from the Parthians before his death in 129 BC. The Antioch tetradrachms formed the principal silver currency of Syria and the Levant during these operations and reflect the regime’s emphasis on victory and civic protection through the Athena Nikephoros type.