What metal and weight is the Antiochus IV Epiphanes Tetradrachm?

Silver, weighing approximately ~16.9 g.

Seleucid Persia

Antiochus IV Epiphanes Tetradrachm

The most ambitious Seleucid king after Antiochus III — his eastern campaigns took him deep into Iran where he died in 164 BCE near Tabae in Persis. His coinage is the high-water mark of Seleucid royal portraiture.

Key specifications for Antiochus IV Epiphanes Tetradrachm
Date	175–164 BCE
Ruler / issuer	Antiochus IV Epiphanes
Mint	Antioch on the Orontes
Metal	Silver
Weight	~16.9 g
Era	Seleucid Persia (312 – 141 BCE)
Region	Iran, Mesopotamia, Bactria

Obverse

Diademed and radiate head of Antiochus IV right — explicit deification (the epithet 'Epiphanes' meaning 'God Manifest').

Reverse

Zeus Nikephoros enthroned left, holding Nike and sceptre; legend ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΝΤΙΟΧΟΥ ΘΕΟΥ ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ.

Historical context — Seleucid Persia

After Alexander's death, Seleucus I and successors struck Hellenistic tetradrachms across Persian mints — Susa, Ecbatana, Persepolis, Seleucia-on-the-Tigris.

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Frequently asked

What is the Antiochus IV Epiphanes Tetradrachm?: The most ambitious Seleucid king after Antiochus III — his eastern campaigns took him deep into Iran where he died in 164 BCE near Tabae in Persis. His coinage is the high-water mark of Seleucid royal portraiture. It was struck in 175–164 BCE at Antioch on the Orontes under Antiochus IV Epiphanes.
What metal and weight is it?: Silver, weighing approximately ~16.9 g.
What designs appear on it?: Obverse: Diademed and radiate head of Antiochus IV right — explicit deification (the epithet 'Epiphanes' meaning 'God Manifest'). Reverse: Zeus Nikephoros enthroned left, holding Nike and sceptre; legend ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΝΤΙΟΧΟΥ ΘΕΟΥ ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ.

Early Seleucid Tetradrachm

Antiochos I Soter (Seleucid)

281–261 BCE

Anchor symbol referenced the Seleucid dynasty's founding legend.

Antiochus III "the Great" Tetradrachm

Antiochus III

222–187 BCE

Struck in massive quantities to fund eastern campaigns.

Greco-Bactrian Tetradrachm of Diodotus I

Diodotus I (Greco-Bactrian)

c. 250 BCE

Diodotus broke from the Seleucids to found the Greco-Bactrian kingdom — Hellenistic coinage striking deep into eastern Iran.

Antiochus VII Sidetes Drachm — Ecbatana

Antiochus VII Sidetes

138–129 BCE

Last Seleucid push east — Antiochus VII briefly recaptured Media from the Parthians in 130 BCE before dying in battle at Ecbatana, ending Seleucid presence on the Iranian plateau.

Greco-Bactrian Tetradrachm of Euthydemus I

Euthydemus I

c. 230–200 BCE

Withstood a three-year siege by Antiochus III at Bactra. His coinage is the high-water mark of Greco-Bactrian portrait engraving. Image: related Diodotid Bactrian tetradrachm.