Lot 121: Commagenian Kingdom. Antiochos IV Epiphanes. A.D. 38-72. Æ. Laranda(?) in Lykaonia.

Commagenian Kingdom. Antiochos IV Epiphanes. A.D. 38-72. Æ (24 mm, 15.06 g, 12 h). Laranda(?) in Lykaonia. ΒΑCΙ[ΛΕY]C ΜΕ-ΓΑC ΑΝΤΙΟΧΟC, diademed and draped bust of Antiochos IV right / ΛΥΚΑ-ΟΝΩΝ, scorpion within wreath. Cf. RPC 3533 (Σs instead of Cs); Von Aulock, Lykaoniens 1-2 (same dies). Extremely rare. Dark green patina with deposits, light crazing in patina on obverse. Very fine.

From the Scorpion Collection.

Von Aulock recorded just ten specimens of Antiochos IV from Lykaonia, three such as the current coin with lunate sigma, the rest with the normal form of sigma, (Σ). Two of the three are struck from the same obverse die as our coin, and all share the same reverse die.

Antiochos IV was given Commagene by the emperor Caligula who later deprived him of the kingdom, but the emperor Claudius after his elevation restored him to his throne. His territories included Commagene proper as well as Cilicia Tracheia (i.e., eastern Cilicia) and Lykaonia. Coinage in his name and that of his queen, Iotape, is found for Commagene, Lacanatis, Lykaonia, Cietis, Selinos, Anemourion, Kelenderis, Korykos, and Elaiusa-Sebaste. All except the coins with Commagenian inscriptions are rare, and those from Lykaonia are exceptionally so. In the Scorpion Collection, there are three specimens which we present here.

• Offered By: Barry P. Murphy
• Lot #: 121
• Listing #: 192549
• Closed: Tuesday, December 13, 2016 5:00:00 PM CT
• Estimate: $100