Obolos 17

KINGS OF COMMAGENE. Antiochos IV Epiphanes, with Iotape, AD 38-40 and 41-72. Oktachalkon (Bronze, 28 mm, 15.82 g, 12 h), Samosata, but inscribed with the name of Lykaonia, c. 38-40 or 41-54. ΒΑCΙΛEYC ME-ΓAC ANTIOXOC Diademed and draped bust of Antiochos IV to right. Rev. ΛYKA-ONΩN around scorpion; all within laurel wreath. ACV 203. Kovacs 249. RPC I 3533. Von Aulock, Lykaoniens 3 (same obverse die). Dark olive-green patina. Minor roughness, light smoothing on obverse, otherwise, good very fine.

Antiochos IV was given Commagene when Caligula reinstated the Roman province as a kingdom, although he subsequently revoked the bequest c. AD 40. Around a year or so later after Claudius had become emperor, Antiochos was restored to his throne. His territories included not only Commagene proper, but also eastern Cilicia (Cilicia Tracheia) as well as Lykaonia. His coinage is found for Commagene, Lacanatis, Lykaonia, Cietis, Selinos, Anemourion, Kelenderis, Korykos, and Elaiusa-Sebaste, all of which is quite rare except the coins with the inscription KOMMAΓΗΝΩΝ, which was the main bulk of his coinage. Von Aulock considered the mint responsible for this particular type with the reverse legend ΛYKAONΩN to likely be Laranda in Lykaonia, but the common features of design and style, die-axis, and lack of edge bevelling of this issue with those having either the inscription KOMMAΓΗΝΩΝ or ΛAKANATΩN suggest a common mint, probably Samosata in Commagene.