Obolos 19

KINGS OF COMMAGENE. Antiochos IV Epiphanes, AD 38-40 and 41-72. Oktachalkon (Bronze, 29 mm, 13.90 g, 12 h), late series with bevelled edge, Samosata, circa 54-65. ΒΑΣΙΛEYΣ M-EΓ ANTIO-XOΣ EΠI Diademed and draped bust of Antiochos IV to right. Rev. KOMMAΓ-HNΩN around scorpion; all within laurel wreath. ACV -. BMC 1-3. Kovacs 254. RPC I 3854. Dark green and tan patina. Minor porosity, otherwise, good 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.