2020-08-26 Wed

Antiochos I Soter was a king of Hellenistic Seleucid Empire; he succeeded his father Seleucus I Nicator in 281 BC and ruled this kingdom until his death 2 June 261 BC. He is the last known ruler to be attributed the ancient Mesopotamian title King of the Universe.

Antiochus I Soter was half Iranian, a distant member of the Orontid Dynastyand half Greek. After sitting on the throne he restored some of the damage caused by the invaders and rebuilt three cities. AntichosfaterSeleucus I Nicator was much interested in expanding the eastern trade, so Antiochus dispatched a noted geographer and general to explore the environs of the Caspian Sea.

This silver Tetradrachm was issued by Antiochos I Soter during his rule. The weight of this Tetradrachm is around 16.87g. The obverse of this kingdom depicts Bust of Antiochos facing towards right. The reverse side of this coin depicts Apollo Delphios, testing arrow and placing hand on grounded bow, seated left on aomphalos, monograms to outer left and right.

Image Courtesy: Todywalla Auction