Lets see your Syro-Phoenician Tetradrachms

[Prieure de Sion]

Hello, one of my areas of interest are the Syro-Phoenician Tetradrachms, which can be found under Prieur. There are a few things I like about these coins. Among other things, the silver pieces are nicely sized compared to Roman denarii and these tetradrachms have wonderful portraits (especially the mintings from Laodicea, for example). A small "disadvantage" is that the motifs on the reverse do not offer such a wide choice.

Here is one of my coins.

Marcus Aurelius Severus Antoninus Caracalla
Laodicea ad Mare, 212/213 AD
Silver tetradrachm, 28.10mm, 14.30g
Prieur 1173a
Av: Draped bust of Caracalla with laurel wreath to the right; ΑΥΤ ΚΑΙ ΑΝΤΩΝЄΙΝΟC CЄ
Rv: Eagle standing facing, head and tail left, with wings spread, holding wreath in beak. Star between legs; ΔΗΜΑΡX ЄΞ ΥΠΑΤΟC ΤΟ Γ

 

Maybe you would also like to show your Syro-Phoenician Tetradrachms here so I can find more inspiration 🙂

[Alegandron]

Antioch, Syria
Nero Regnal year 8, Caesarian year 110, (AD 61/62)
AR Tetradrachm 25 mm x 14.05 grams
Obverse: NERWNOS KAISAROS SEBASTOU, Laureate bust right, wearing aegis.
Reverse: Eagle standing left on thunderbolt, palm branch before, H/IP behind.
Ref: RPC4182
Ex: @Ancientnoob

[kapphnwn]

Ar Tetradrachm of Elagabalus Minted at Emisa 218-222 AD Obv Obv Head right laureate Rv Eagle standing facing head left and with wings spread on thunderbolt. Prieur 267 13.28 grms 26 mm Photo by W. Hansen

The massive outpouring of tetradrachms initiated by Caracalla and maintained at least for part of his reign by Macrinus clearly ended during the reign of Elagabalus. I suspect that after an initial run of tetradrachms needed to pay the soldiers that had supported him against Macrinus all production ceased. 

[Prieure de Sion]

38 minutes ago, Alegandron said:

Nero Regnal year 8, Caesarian year 110, (AD 61/62)

Like the Nero Head on this Tetradrachm of this time.

 

7 minutes ago, kapphnwn said:

Ar Tetradrachm of Elagabalus Minted at Emisa 218-222 AD

Very nice, I'm still missing an Elagabalus tetradrachm.

[ambr0zie]

I only have two. My first was a budget Trebonianus Gallus

 

Prieur 666 (4), McAlee 1172f, RPC vol IX 1805

 

and a Decius I like a lot

Seleucis and Pieria. Antioch. Trajan Decius AD 249-251.
Billon-Tetradrachm
26 mm, 12,18 g
ΑΥΤ Κ Γ ΜƐ ΚΥ ΤΡΑΙΑΝΟϹ ΔƐΚΙΟϹ ϹƐΒ, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Decius, r., seen from rear; below bust: ••••• / ΔΗΜΑΡΧ ƐΞΟΥϹΙΑϹ, S C, eagle standing on palm, l., spreading wings, holding wreath in beak
Group 3, officina 5
RPC IX, 1745, Prieur 584 (15), McAlee 1126e

 

[Prieure de Sion]

11 minutes ago, ambr0zie said:

and a Decius I like a lot

Cool... what a nice type of eagle on the reverse. Congratulation.

[Prieure de Sion]

I don't know, I don't know... I don't know. Guys, I'm not sure. I could get these two tetradrachms of Philip I and Philip II. Prices are around 240 euros (250 USD) and 140 euros (150 USD). But I don't know why I'm hesitating!!?

I would actually say yes 99% of the time. But I don't know why I'm hesitating now? Maybe because you shouldn't buy if you're not 100% joyfully convinced?

[shanxi]

Elagabalus
Syria, Antiochia
Billon tetradrachm
Obv.: AVT K M A ANTWNEINOC, Laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right
Rev.: ΔHMAPX EΞYΠATOC TOB, Eagle standing facing, head and tail left, holding wreath in beak, Δ Є above wings, star between legs.
Billon, 13.10g, 24-27mm
Ref.: Prieur 264

[Qcumbor]

@Prieure de Sion, looks like we have some similar taste for coins : Bosporan Kingdom, Syro phenician tets, maybe some others too

Here are some

Caracalla (04/02/211-08/04/217) - Tetradrachme de billon de l'atelier de Laodicée du cinquième groupe, c. 212-213
ΑΥΤ.ΚΑΙ.ΑΝΤΩΝΕΙΝOC.CΕ. , Buste lauré de Caracalla à droite
.ΔHΜΑΡX.E.Ξ.YΠΑΤΟC.ΤΟ.Γ, Aigle de face les ailes déployées, la tête à gauche, tenant dans son bec une couronne. Entre les pattes une étoile

12.08 gr

Ref : Prieur # 1176_028, Sear #2659 var

 

Diaduménien, Cesar (04/217-8/06/218) - Tetradrachme de billon de l'atelier de Hierapolis 

AYT K M OΠEA ANTΩNEINOC, Buste radié, drapé et cuirassé à droite, vu par l'arrière
ΔHMAP.X.EΞ.YΠATOC. Aigle de face, ailes déployées, la tête à droite tenant une couronne dans son bec, Entre ses pattes, un lion

11,44 gr

Ref : Prieur #947_050, Sear #315

 

Philippe Ier l'arabe (25/02/244-09/249) - Tetradrachme de billon de l'atelier d'Antioche, 244
ΑΥΤΟΚ Κ Μ ΙΟΥΛ ΦΙΛΙΠΠΟC CЄΒ, Buste radié et cuirassé à gauche vu par l'arrière
ΔΗΜΑΡΧ ΕΞΟΥCΙΑC, Aigle de face, les ailes déployées, la tête a gauche, tenant une couronne dans son bec et une palme dans ses serres. A l'exergue SC

27 mm, 12.42 g, 1 h

Ref : Prieur # 313, McAlee # 893, BMC #512

 

Q

[Prieure de Sion]

31 minutes ago, Qcumbor said:

Caracalla (04/02/211-08/04/217) - Tetradrachme de billon de l'atelier de Laodicée du cinquième groupe, c. 212-213

My opinion, the Laodicea Style ist the best Style from all Tetradrachms... 🙂 

32 minutes ago, Qcumbor said:

Philippe Ier l'arabe (25/02/244-09/249) - Tetradrachme de billon de l'atelier d'Antioche, 244

And the Philippus and Traianus Decius have the best impressive Porträts - like yours 🙂

33 minutes ago, Qcumbor said:

Diaduménien, Cesar (04/217-8/06/218) - Tetradrachme de billon de l'atelier de Hierapolis 

That's fine... an Diadumenianus! That's what I need next time... a coin from him... if I see a nice one.

 

Thanks for showing your Tetradrachms!

[Al Kowsky]

On 6/20/2022 at 2:33 PM, Prieure de Sion said:

I don't know, I don't know... I don't know. Guys, I'm not sure. I could get these two tetradrachms of Philip I and Philip II. Prices are around 240 euros (250 USD) and 140 euros (150 USD). But I don't know why I'm hesitating!!?

I would actually say yes 99% of the time. But I don't know why I'm hesitating now? Maybe because you shouldn't buy if you're not 100% joyfully convinced?

The Philip I Tet is a bargain for the price. The B officina is the scarcest of the MON VRB series, & the coin appears in mint state condition 😉.

[Prieure de Sion]

30 minutes ago, Al Kowsky said:

The Philip I Tet is a bargain for the price. The B officina is the scarcest of the MON VRB series, & the coin appears in mint state condition 😉.

Thanks! This was a very helpful information for me.

So the deal is safe with the trader. 

 

Edited June 25, 2022 by Prieure de Sion

[robinjojo]

Nice coins posted!

Here's a recent arrival, a scarcer left facing portrait:

Roman Empire
Nero – Roman Emperor: 54-68 AD
AR Tetradrachm 
Antioch in Seleukis and Pieria 
Dated Year 114 of the Caesarian era; 65/66 AD.
Obverse: Laureate head left, wearing aegis. 
Reverse: IP, Eagle standing left on thunderbolt, wings spread; balm-branch before.
Fine
Very scarce with left facing portrait.
Reference: McAlee 266; RPC 4191; Prieur 91
Purchased from an Israeli seller in 2022.

14.18 grams
 

     

And one that I've had for a year or so, also Nero:

Roman Empire, circa 63-68 AD
Nero
AR Tetradrachm
Antioch, Seleucis and Pieria
NERO CLAVD DIVI CLAVD F CAESAR AVG GER, laureate head of Nero to right; behind head, above the wreath ties, ivy leaf / DIVOS CLAVD AVG GERMANIC PATER AVG, laureate head of the deified Claudius.
RPC 4122 var.; McAlee 269; Prieur 47
VF with fairly complete legends on both sides.  Slightly soft wreath detail, both sides.
Scarce
Purchased from an Israeli seller in 2021.

14.49 grams
 

 

 

[Al Kowsky]

Syro-Phoenician Tets are a favorite collecting theme of mine too 😊.

The three coins in this family group of Philip I are Ex Prieur collection.

My rarest Tet of Philip I is pictured below. Only two examples are known to exist, the one pictured in McAlee's book (it's also pictured in RPV VIII) & my coin. The McAlee example was sold at CNG 438, lot 357, in 2019 to some lucky buyer ☺️.

Pictured below is the other example pictured in RPC VIII, unassigned ID 29163.

Billon Tetradrachm: 11.12 gm, 26 mm, 6 h. Ex Michel Prieur Collection, Ex Richard McAlee Collection.

 

 

 

[Prieure de Sion]

54 minutes ago, robinjojo said:

Roman Empire, circa 63-68 AD
Nero
AR Tetradrachm
Antioch, Seleucis and Pieria
NERO CLAVD DIVI CLAVD F CAESAR AVG GER, laureate head of Nero to right; behind head, above the wreath ties, ivy leaf / DIVOS CLAVD AVG GERMANIC PATER AVG, laureate head of the deified Claudius.
RPC 4122 var.; McAlee 269; Prieur 47
VF with fairly complete legends on both sides.  Slightly soft wreath detail, both sides.
Scarce
Purchased from an Israeli seller in 2021.

Oh how cool is that! Nero and Claudius. What a cool Tetradrachm! Congratulations… ! 
 

43 minutes ago, Al Kowsky said:

Syro-Phoenician Tets are a favorite collecting theme of mine too 😊

Excellent Porträt. Like your coins…

[Al Kowsky]

Some of my favorite Caracalla Tets are pictured below 😊.

[DonnaML]

If I'm counting correctly, I have seven tetradrachms minted in Antioch or Tyre.

Trajan AR Tetradrachm, AD 100, Phoenicia, Tyre. Obv. Laureate head of Trajan right; behind, ear of grain in left field; to right, club in right field; below, eagle with folded wings standing right, ΑΥΤΟΚΡ ΚΑΙϹ ΝΕΡ ΤΡΑΙΑΝΟϹ ϹΕΒ ΓΕΡΜ / Rev. Laureate bust of Melqart (as Herakles) right, lion’s skin tied at neck, ΔΗΜΑΡΧ ΕΞ ΥΠΑΤ Γ [= COS III]. RPC [Roman Provincial Coinage] Vol. III 3526 (2015); RPC Online at https://rpc.ashmus.ox.ac.uk/coins/3/3526; Prieur 1482 [Prieur, Michel and Karin, Syro-Phoenician Tetradrachms (London, 2000)]; McAlee 452/2 (ill. p. 203; portraits appear to be a die match) (Group 5) [McAlee, Richard, The Coins of Roman Antioch (2007), ascribing Melqart types to Tyre or Rome]. 27 mm., 14.25 g.

Trajan AR Tetradrachm, 112 AD, Seleucis & Pieria, Antioch Mint. Obv. Laureate head right, club below to left and eagle (standing right) below to right, AYTOKP KAIC NER TPAIANOC CEB ΓEPM ΔAK / Rev. Tyche of Antioch, wearing mural crown, seated on rocks, right, holding two ears of wheat and a poppy-head in her right hand, river god Orontes at her feet in river swimming right, looking up at Tyche, left arm extended and left forefinger pointed, ΔΗΜΑΡΧ ΕΞ ΙϚ ΥΠΑΤ Ϛ [= TR POT XVI, COS VI]. RPC [Roman Provincial Coinage] Vol. III 3543 (2015); RPC III Online 3543 at https://rpc.ashmus.ox.ac.uk/coins/3/3543, McAlee 471 (ill. p. 205) (Group 6) [Richard McAlee, The Coins of Roman Antioch (2007)]; Prieur 1499 [Michel and Karin Prieur, Syro-Phoenician Tetradrachms (London, 2000)]; Sear GIC 1089 at p. 100 (ill.), attributed to Tyre [D. Sear, Greek Imperial Coins and their Values (1982)]. 25 mm., 13.88 g.

Septimius Severus, Billon Tetradrachm, AD 209-211, Phoenicia, Tyre. Obv. Laureate head right, AYT KAI CEΠ CEOYHPOC CE / Rev. Eagle standing facing upon club right, with spread wings and head to left, holding wreath in his beak; between legs, murex shell, ΔΗΜΑΡΧ ΕΞ ΥΠΤΟC ΤΟ Γ.  27 mm., 13.83 g, 11 h.  Prieur 1533. Purchased at Nomos Obolos Auction 22, 6 March 2022, Lot 576.  Obverse die match to example of Prieur 1533 sold at CNG E-Auction 443, Jan. 5, 2019, Lot 422, ex. Freeman & Sear FPL [fixed price list] 1, 1994, A261. Reverse of this coin, including dots in legend, is die match to Prieur 1534 [obverse of 1534 differs from 1533 in that bust on 1534 is draped and cuirassed]. This coin is one of only three known examples of Prieur 1533: this coin, the coin sold by CNG in 2019 (ex Freeman & Sear), and Prieur 1533 itself (ex. M&M FPL 250, Dec. 1964/Jan. 1965, # 95).

Caracalla Billon Tetradrachm, COS. IV, AD 213-217 [McAlee pp. 6, 270: probably ca. 216-217; see third fn. below], Antioch ad Orontem, Seleucis and Pieria,* Syria Province. Obv. Laureate head right, [ΑΥΤ]•Κ•Μ•Α• •ΑΝΤΩΝЄΙΝΟC [CЄΒ] / Rev. Eagle with wreath in beak, head right, and wings spread, standing facing on leg and thigh of sacrificial animal,** ΔΗΜΑΡX•ЄΞ• ΥΠΑ• ΤΟ• Δ• [equivalent of TR P COS IV (fourth consulship)] around, •Δ•-• Δ • [Delta – Epsilon***] across upper fields. McAlee 681 (ill. p. 271), Prieur 224, Bellinger 19 [Alfred R. Bellinger, The Syrian Tetradrachms of Caracalla and Macrinus, American Numismatic Society (Numismatic Studies No. 3, New York, 1940)]. 13.49 g., 25 mm., 12 h. Purchased from Roma Numismatics Ltd., E-Auction 96, 5 May 2022, Lot 739. [Footnotes omitted; see https://www.cointalk.com/threads/my-first-antioch-tetradrachm-of-caracalla-and-the-meaning-of-delta-epsilon.396529/#post-8343794 .]

Philip I Billon Tetradrachm, 247 AD [Year 3], Syria, Seleucis and Pieria, Antioch Mint. Obv. Laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right, seen from rear, ΑΥΤΟΚ Κ Μ ΙΟΥΛΙ ΦΙΛΙΠΠΟϹ ϹƐΒ / Rev. Eagle standing right, wings spread with left wing behind leg, head right and holding wreath in beak, ΔΗΜΑΡΧ ƐΞΟΥϹΙΑϹ ΥΠΑ ΤΟ Γ [= Year 3]; in exergue in two lines: ΑΝΤΙΟΧΙΑ/ S C. RPC [Roman Provincial Coinage] Vol. VIII Online 29005 [temporary ID number] (see https://rpc.ashmus.ox.ac.uk/type/29005 ); Prieur 368, McAlee 908 (ill. p. 335) (Series 4, Group (b), Type 2). 26.5 mm., 10.40 g., 7 h.

 

Philip II, billon Tetradrachm, 248-249 AD, Syria, Seleucis and Pieria, Antioch Mint. Obv. Laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right, seen from behind, AYTOK K M IOΥΛI ΦIΛIΠΠOC CEB / Rev. Eagle standing facing, head right, wings spread, holding wreath in its beak, ΔHMAΡX EΞ OYCIAC YΠA TO Δ [4^th consulship]; ANTIOXIA / S C in two lines below eagle.  Prieur 474 [Michel and Karin Prieur, Syro-Phoenician Tetradrachms (London, 2000)]; BMC 20 Syria 560 [Warwick Wroth, A Catalog of the Greek Coins in the British Museum, Vol. 20, Galatia, Cappadocia, and Syria (London, 1899) at p. 218] McAlee 1042 (Series 5) (ill. p. 353 ) [Richard McAlee, The Coins of Roman Antioch (2007)]; RPC VIII No. 29020 (https://rpc.ashmus.ox.ac.uk/type/29020).  27.15 mm., 14.00 g.  Ex. CNG Electronic Auction 466, April 22, 2020, part of Lot 728.

Trajan Decius, billon Tetradrachm, 249-251 AD, Syria, Antioch Mint. Obv. Radiate bust right, three pellets below (•••) (= 3^rd Officina), ΑΥΤ Κ Γ ΜƐ ΚΥ ΔƐΚΙΟϹ ΤΡΑΙΑΝΟϹ ϹƐΒ / Rev. Eagle standing left on palm branch, head left, wings spread, wreath in beak, ΔΗΜΑΡΧ ƐΞΟΥϹΙΑϹ [= Tribunicia Potestas], in exergue: S C. [Group II, Officina 3.] RPC [Roman Provincial Coinage] Online IX 1644 (see https://rpc.ashmus.ox.ac.uk/coins/9/1644 ); Prieur 540 (11), McAlee 1120c (Group 2) (see p. 368), BMC 586. 24 mm., 12.85 g.

 

[Prieure de Sion]

9 minutes ago, DonnaML said:

Trajan AR Tetradrachm, AD 100, Phoenicia, Tyre. Obv. Laureate head of Trajan right; behind, ear of grain in left field; to right, club in right field; below, eagle with folded wings standing right, ΑΥΤΟΚΡ ΚΑΙϹ ΝΕΡ ΤΡΑΙΑΝΟϹ ϹΕΒ ΓΕΡΜ / Rev. Laureate bust of Melqart (as Herakles) right, lion’s skin tied at neck, ΔΗΜΑΡΧ ΕΞ ΥΠΑΤ Γ [= COS III]. RPC [Roman Provincial Coinage] Vol. III 3526 (2015); RPC Online at https://rpc.ashmus.ox.ac.uk/coins/3/3526; Prieur 1482 [Prieur, Michel and Karin, Syro-Phoenician Tetradrachms (London, 2000)]; McAlee 452/2 (ill. p. 203; portraits appear to be a die match) (Group 5) [McAlee, Richard, The Coins of Roman Antioch (2007), ascribing Melqart types to Tyre or Rome]. 27 mm., 14.25 g.

All beautiful tetradrachms you have there. But the Melqart tops everything, of course. The reverse type is still missing from my collection. Thank you for showing it to me.

[Egry]

@Prieure de Sioni don’t have one to share but I completely agree with you on how attractive they are. For a provincial mint they always seem to have very comparable (in my opinion) portraits to to those of denarii minted in Rome. Likely this must have signified the importance of this area, possibly due to its proximity to Parthia, the propaganda needed to be clear.

Edited June 26, 2022 by Egry

[Curtisimo]

Great coin and thread @Prieure de Sion.

Here are a few of mine.

Phoenicia, Tyre 
Trajan (AD 98 - 117)
AR Tetradrachm, Tyre mint 
Dia.: 26 mm
Wt. 13.67 g
Obv.: Laureate head of Trajan right, club and eagle below. 
Rev.: Laureate head of Melqart right with lion skin around neck.
Ref.: Prieur 1495ff

Roman Empire
Philip the Arab
AR Tetradrachm, Seleucia and Pieria, Antioch mint, struck ca. AD 247
Dia.: 28.1 mm
Wt.: 11.47 g
Obv.: AYTOK K M IOYΛI ΦΙΛΙΠΠΟC CЄB, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right, seen from behind.
Rev.: ΔΗΜΑΡX ЄΞOYCIAC ΥΠΑ ΤO Γ / ANTIOXIA / S C, Eagle standing left, head right, with wings spread, holding wreath in beak.
Ref.: Prieur 370; McAlee 902

Philippus II 
AR Tetradrachm, Antioch mint, AD 248
Dia.: 27 mm
Wt.: 12.5 g
Obv.: ΑΥΤΟΚ Κ Μ ΙΟΥΛΙ ΦΙΛΙΠΠΟC CΕΒ, Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Philippus II right
Rev.: ΔHΜΑΡX ΕΞΟΥCΙΑC ΥΠΑΤΟΔ, Eagle standing right, holding a wreath in beak. ANTIOXIA / SC in exergue
Ref.: BMC 551, Prieur 474
Ex Qcumbor Collection 

PHOENICIA, Berytus.
Caracalla (AD 197-217)
AR Tetradrachm, Berytus mint, struck AD 215-217.
Dia.: 28 mm
Wt.: 13.0 g
Obv.: AVT KAI ANTWNINOC CЄB; Laureate bust right.
Rev.: ΔHMAPΧ EΞ YΠATO Δ; Eagle with spread wings standing facing, head left wreath in beak; between legs, prow left.
Reference: Prieur 1292
From the DePew Collection

Syria, Seleucis and Pieria, Antioch
Trebonianus Gallus
AR tetradrachm, struck ca. 251-253, 1st officina
Obv.: Laureate draped and cuirassed bust right
Rev.: Eagle standing facing, head and tail right, with wings spread, holding wreath in beak; A between legs. SC in exergue
Ref.: McAlee 1173a; Prieur 657
Ex Tenbobbit Collection; Purchased privately from the collection of an English gentleman in 2005; Ex AMCC 2, Lot 434 (Nov. 9, 2019)

[El Cazador]

6 hours ago, Al Kowsky said:

Some of my favorite Caracalla Tets are pictured below 😊.

Lovely, here is one of my favorites 

Edited June 26, 2022 by El Cazador

[Prieure de Sion]

Caracalla with radiant crown 😍

[Qcumbor]

A family snapshot :

Q

[Al Kowsky]

7 hours ago, Egry said:

@Prieure de Sioni don’t have one to share but I completely agree with you on how attractive they are. For a provincial mint they always seem to have very comparable (in my opinion) portraits to to those of denarii minted in Rome. Likely this must have signified the importance of this area, possibly due to its proximity to Parthia, the propaganda needed to be clear.

Egry, The importance of Antioch, Syria can't be stressed enough. You're correct stressing the military staging point of Antioch for ventures in the East. The city of Antioch was founded by Seleukos I in 300 BC, & it's first coins were minted by Antiochos I, 280-261 BC. Coins were minted in Antioch for nearly 1,000 years, longer than the Rome mint. For anyone with a serious interest in the history of this city I highly recommend an exhibition catalog published in 2000 by the Worcester Art Museum, "ANTIOCH, The Lost Ancient City". Used copies of this catalog are easy to find via the internet. In the catalog William Metcalf wrote an excellent essay on "The Mint of Antioch", with illustrations. 

The founding of Antioch is indirectly depicted on many of the tetradrachms struck at that mint, like the coin below. When Seleukos I was searching for a location for the city, an animal sacrifice was preformed by his priests. During this ritual an eagle swept down from the heavens & grabbed a leg from the sacrificed animal, flew to a location & dropped the leg where the city was founded. The tetradrachm pictured below, like so many other examples, depicts the eagle holding the sacrificed leg from that ritual.

[Al Kowsky]

8 hours ago, El Cazador said:

Lovely, here is one of my favorites 

That's a very attractive plate coin pictured in Prieur's book; I'm surprised it wasn't marked as such on the slab 🤔. I remember when this coin came up for auction, had I been more flush with money at the time I would have bid on it too.