Persian Treasury
Ruler

Coinage of Antiochus IV Epiphanes

1 catalogued issue of Antiochus IV Epiphanes — metal, weight, mint, obverse and reverse descriptions with references.

In short

Antiochus IV Epiphanes (175–164 BCE) is remembered for provoking the Maccabean revolt in Judaea and for a coinage that pushed royal portraiture toward outright divinity, with radiate crown and the epithet 'God Manifest'. Antiochus IV Epiphanes issued 1 catalogued coin type dated 164 BCE – 175 CE, recorded here with metal, weight, mint, obverse and reverse descriptions. The surviving issues in this catalogue are struck in Silver at Antioch on the Orontes.

Catalogued
1
Eras
1
Metals
1
Denominations
2

Key facts

Key facts about Antiochus IV Epiphanes in the Persian Treasury catalogue
Catalogued pieces1
Date range164 BCE – 175 CE
Eras representedSeleucid Persia
MetalsSilver
DenominationsDrachm, Tetradrachm
MintsAntioch on the Orontes
Reign175–164 BCE
EpithetsTheos Epiphanes; Nikephoros
ConsequenceMaccabean revolt in Judaea
DeathIn Iran, 164 BCE

Theos Epiphanes

His tetradrachms style him THEOU EPIPHANOUS — 'of the God Manifest' — and later add NIKEPHOROU, 'bringer of victory'. The radiate crown is a deliberate assimilation of king to sun god.

That claim was politically explosive in Judaea, where his interference in the Temple triggered the revolt commemorated at Hanukkah.

The eastern campaign

Antiochus died in Iran in 164 BCE during a campaign to restore control over the eastern satrapies and to seize temple wealth in Elymais — the same fatal errand as his father.

His mints across Syria, Mesopotamia and Iran produced a large and well-studied coinage, with Ecbatana and Susa issues relevant to Iranian collections.

Seleucid Persia · 312 – 141 BCE

Era overview →

Antiochus IV Epiphanes Tetradrachm

Antiochus IV Epiphanes

175–164 BCE

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.

Frequently asked about Antiochus IV Epiphanes

What does Epiphanes mean?
'Manifest' — short for Theos Epiphanes, 'God Manifest', a divine epithet Antiochus IV used on his coinage alongside a radiate crown.
Why is he significant for Iran?
He campaigned in the east to restore Seleucid control over the Iranian satrapies and died there in 164 BCE, after which Parthian expansion accelerated.
What coins did Antiochus IV Epiphanes issue?
Antiochus IV Epiphanes issued 1 catalogued coin type dated 164 BCE – 175 CE, recorded here with metal, weight, mint, obverse and reverse descriptions. The surviving issues in this catalogue are struck in Silver at Antioch on the Orontes.
How many Antiochus IV Epiphanes pieces are catalogued on Persian Treasury?
1 item, dated 164 BCE – 175 CE, spread across 1 era: Seleucid Persia.
Which metals were used for Antiochus IV Epiphanes coinage?
Silver. Each entry records the metal, the approximate weight where known, and a cited reference.
Which denominations are associated with Antiochus IV Epiphanes?
Drachm, Tetradrachm. Every denomination has its own reference page with dated examples.
Where were Antiochus IV Epiphanes coins minted?
Recorded mints include Antioch on the Orontes.

Explore related hubs

Denominations here

Metals here