Tetradrachm: Head of Antiochos VIII (obverse); Zeus Ouranios (reverse) (112–110 BCE): Art, History and Details

Tetradrachm: Head of Antiochos VIII (obverse); Zeus Ouranios (reverse) (112–110 BCE) is in the Cleveland Museum of Art collection.

The work and its context

The museum's open-access catalogue describes the work:

Like his ancestors before him, Antiochos VIII emulates the style of Alexander III (the Great) on this coin, preferring wild, curly hair, a simple diadem, and clean-shaven face. On the reverse Zeus Ouranios gives his divine approval, standing with a scepter and bright star that shines above two mint marks in a very crowded field.

Object facts

• Title: Tetradrachm: Head of Antiochos VIII (obverse); Zeus Ouranios (reverse)
• Date: 112–110 BCE
• Culture: Greek, Seleukid, minted at Antioch (Syria), reign of Antiochos VIII
• Type: Coins
• Technique: silver
• Dimensions: Diameter: 2.9 cm (1 1/8 in.)
• Collection: GR - Greek
• Department: Greek and Roman Art
• Accession number: 1916.974

A detail from the museum

The coins of Antiochos VIII are distinguished by his extremely hooked nose and pudgy face.

Collection credit

Gift of J. H. Wade

View the collection record

See the museum's photographs and full catalogue entry. Catalogue text is reproduced from the Cleveland Museum of Art's open-access data, with HTML formatting removed. This object and its supplied image are designated CC0.