Description: Antiochos (Antiochus) I Tetradrachm Smyrna NGC CH VF 5/5 3/5 Incredible Style Heres one of the finest styles on an Antiochos I coin in existence. Antiochos I Soter Tetradrachm, struck in Smyrna. SC 311.2. This issue is known for being the finest style engravings of any tetradrachms under Antiochos I. "The portrait of Antiochos found on these tetradrachms of Smyrna is renowned among collectors of fine style Hellensitic portraits. For much of his reign, the portraits of Antiochos were highly realistic in their portrayal of the king, exemplifying his deeply sunken eyes and relatively oversized facial features. Later in his reign, though, a number of mints produced idealized portraits, which were more evenly proportional and youthful. The effect was to give his portrait a godlike quality, displaying a perfection that bordered on the divine. No longer did Antiochos appear as a troubled old king, now he was rejuvenated as a young and powerful ruler, with a serene countenance that would inspire confidence in his subjects. The die that was used for the present coin is particularly remarkable in its beauty, and the engraver's work has been noted on at least three dies, including one in the Houghton collection, albeit from a different issue (CSE 621). Remarking on that coin in the sale of the Houghton Collection, lot 289 in NFA XVIII, Cathy Lorber noted: "[T]he beauty of this portrait lies less in youth than in the refinement and sensitivity that characterize the whole output of Smyrna, reaching their acme here. The engraver, surely an artist of genius, has spiritualized the king in a way that suggests a personal aesthetic vision in revolt against the official iconography." It is no surprise that such a piece was produced from one of the long-standing mints of Ionia, a region where many of the great numismatic masterpieces originated."CNG A similar example, listed as "struck from dies of exceptionally fine style" sold in mid 2021 at Nomos 22 for around $1,500. In our opinion, the reverse style on our example is nicer. This is without a doubt one of the nicest die work on an Antiochos tetradrachm ever
Price: 2499.99 USD
Location: Mineola, New York
End Time: 2024-08-29T00:07:43.000Z
Shipping Cost: 19.99 USD
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Item Specifics
All returns accepted: ReturnsNotAccepted
Denomination: Tetradrachm
Grade: VF 35
Certification: NGC
