★ Bearded, Later Issue of Antiochos XII ★

SELEUKID KINGS OF SYRIA. Antiochos XII Dionysos, 87/6-84/3 BC. (Bronze, 15 mm, 3.19 g, 12 h), Damascus, 85/4-84/3. Diademed and bearded head of Antiochos XII to right. Rev. ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΝΤΙΟΧΟΥ ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ ΦΙΛΟΠΑΤΟΡΟΣ ΚΑΛΛΙΝΙΚΟΥ Nike advancing right, holding wreath in right hand and palm in left; to left, monogram. HGC 9, 1332 (S-R1). LSM 139. SC 2479. Well struck and attractive for this normally very crude issue. Green patina with earthen deposits. Very fine.

From the Thomas Kirby Collection, USA.

An interesting feature of Antiochos XII's coinage is that his portrait helps date his coins. Unlike his brothers who began their reigns fully bearded and subsequently shaved, Antiochos' first issues depict him shaved and his subsequent issues, like this, portray him fully bearded. Thus the fact he is here shown bearded places this issue near or at the end of Antiochos' short and tumultuous reign.