Persian Treasury
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Coinage of Antiochus VII Sidetes

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

In short

Antiochus VII Sidetes (138–129 BCE) was the last Seleucid king to campaign successfully in Iran — and his death in battle against the Parthians ended Greek rule on the plateau for good. Antiochus VII Sidetes issued 1 catalogued coin type dated 129 BCE – 138 CE, recorded here with metal, weight, mint, obverse and reverse descriptions. The surviving issues in this catalogue are struck in Silver at Ecbatana.

Catalogued
1
Eras
1
Metals
1
Denominations
1

Key facts

Key facts about Antiochus VII Sidetes in the Persian Treasury catalogue
Catalogued pieces1
Date range129 BCE – 138 CE
Eras representedSeleucid Persia
MetalsSilver
DenominationsDrachm
MintsEcbatana
Reign138–129 BCE
Eastern campaignRecovered Babylonia and Media, 130 BCE
DeathKilled by Parthian forces, 129 BCE
Standard reverseAthena Nikephoros

The last offensive

Antiochus VII briefly recovered Babylonia and Media from Parthia in 130 BCE, defeating Phraates II in three engagements. Wintering his army in scattered quarters proved fatal: a coordinated uprising and Parthian counter-attack destroyed the force in 129 BCE and killed the king.

With that defeat the Seleucid empire lost the east permanently and shrank to a Syrian rump that Rome absorbed in 63 BCE.

Coinage

His tetradrachms, with Athena Nikephoros reverses, are among the more common late Seleucid silver, and eastern-mint issues from the brief reoccupation are the historically interesting ones.

For an Iranian collection, Antiochus VII is the closing bracket on Hellenistic rule — the coin after which the plateau's money is Parthian.

Seleucid Persia · 312 – 141 BCE

Era overview →

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.

Frequently asked about Antiochus VII Sidetes

Who ended Greek rule in Iran?
The Parthians. Their destruction of Antiochus VII's army in 129 BCE ended the last Seleucid attempt to hold the Iranian plateau.
Are his coins common?
His Syrian tetradrachms are relatively available; issues from the short eastern reoccupation are scarcer and more historically significant.
What coins did Antiochus VII Sidetes issue?
Antiochus VII Sidetes issued 1 catalogued coin type dated 129 BCE – 138 CE, recorded here with metal, weight, mint, obverse and reverse descriptions. The surviving issues in this catalogue are struck in Silver at Ecbatana.
How many Antiochus VII Sidetes pieces are catalogued on Persian Treasury?
1 item, dated 129 BCE – 138 CE, spread across 1 era: Seleucid Persia.
Which metals were used for Antiochus VII Sidetes coinage?
Silver. Each entry records the metal, the approximate weight where known, and a cited reference.
Which denominations are associated with Antiochus VII Sidetes?
Drachm. Every denomination has its own reference page with dated examples.
Where were Antiochus VII Sidetes coins minted?
Recorded mints include Ecbatana.

Explore related hubs

Denominations here

Metals here