ANTIOCHOS IV AE, EGYPTIANIZING SERIES

SC 1413, HGC 9, 643, SNG Spaer 979, Very Fine, reverse flan flaw (dig), 33.7mm, 34.89 grams, Antioch on the Orontes mint, Struck Circa. 169/168 B.C.E.

Obverse: Laureate head of Zeus-Serapis to right, wearing tainia with Osiris cap at tip

Reverse: Eagle standing toright on thunderbolt, BAΣIΛEΩΣ ANTIOXOΥ to right, ΘΕΟΥ ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ to left

Antiochos IV Epiphanes was the oppressive king of the Chanukah story. This coin was struck on the eve. of his onslaught against the Judaeans. Antiochos was proud of his conquest of Egypt (the raison d'etre of the production of the coin type) and was humiliated when he was forced to retreat by the Romans. During his retreat he initiated a war on Judaea and slaughtered multitudes of its inhabitants and commenced an oppressive persecution. Ultimately, the Judaeans wrested back control of the country with the Maccabean revolt.

A BEAUTIFUL example in spite of the flan flaw! With an NAC inventory ticket and original collectors tag (probaby 1960's or 70's).