Obolos 16

KINGS OF COMMAGENE. Antiochos IV Epiphanes, with Iotape, AD 38-40 and 41-72. Tetrachalkon (Bronze, 19 mm, 6.03 g, 1 h). ΒΑΣΙ ΑΝΤΙΟΧΟΣ Diademed and draped bust of Antiochus to right. Rev. ΚΟΜ/ΜΑΓ/Η/ΝΩΝ Crossed cornucopia. BMC 16. Kovacs 242. RPC I 3859. SNG Copenhagen 4. Unusual and scarce variety. Obverse struck slightly off-centre, otherwise, very fine.

Antiochos IV Epiphanes was the last of the Orontid kings of Commagene. He did not inherit his kingdom until twenty years after the death of his father, Antiochos III. In the period between the death of his father and his accession, he lived in Rome and became a Roman citizen, his patron being Antonia Minor, the youngest daughter of Mark Antony and the niece of Augustus. After his accession, he reigned along with his sister-queen, Iotape, for thiry-four years before his kingdom was abolished (allegedly because he had conspired with the Parthians against Rome), when he retired to Rome.