How to Identify the Antiochos Hierax Tetradrachm
A collector's guide to recognizing this Seleucid silver tetradrachm by its diademed head, shield-and-spear reverse figure, Greek legend, size, and fabric.
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Start with the obverse portrait. This tetradrachm shows a royal head in profile facing right, wearing the diadem, the plain cloth band with trailing ties that marks a Hellenistic king. Look for the band itself across the hair and the high-relief, idealized modeling typical of Seleucid dies; Hierax is often portrayed as a youthful ruler. The diademed head alone does not clinch the attribution, since many Seleucid kings share it, so treat it as the first of several combined clues.
Turn to the reverse and look for a figure holding a shield and spear. These martial attributes point to Athena and to the warlike self-presentation of this claimant. Around the figure you should be able to find a Greek royal legend, in the form BASILEOS ANTIOCHOU ('of King Antiochos'), usually with monograms or small control symbols. Reading even part of that legend confirms it is coinage of a King Antiochos and separates it from other seated- or standing-deity reverses.
Check size, weight, and fabric together. A genuine tetradrachm is a large, thick silver disc, on the order of about 16 to 17 grams and roughly 27 to 32 mm wide, struck from hand-cut dies. Expect a slightly oval flan, uneven edges, and centering that can push part of the design or legend off the blank. The metal should look like high-grade silver, usually with grey age toning rather than a bright modern shine.
The hardest problem is telling Hierax apart from other kings named Antiochos. Several Seleucid rulers carry the same name and the same BASILEOS ANTIOCHOU legend, and the dynasty's more common reverse is a seated Apollo on the omphalos rather than a shield-and-spear figure. Attribution to Hierax specifically rests on portrait style, the particular reverse type and control marks, the mint (his coins come from Asia Minor), and comparison with published references, so use standard catalogues or specialist opinion rather than the name in the legend alone.
Finally, watch for authenticity problems. Cast forgeries betray a seam around the edge, a soft or bubbly surface, and a dull, non-metallic tone; tooled or re-engraved coins show unnaturally sharp, scratchy detail added to worn areas or a legend that looks freshly recut. Because well-attributed examples are valuable, treat bargain-priced coins with caution and, for a significant purchase, rely on specialist attribution or third-party certification and, where available, documented provenance.
Frequently asked questions
How do I tell this from a tetradrachm of another King Antiochos?
The legend BASILEOS ANTIOCHOU appears on coins of several Seleucid kings, so it cannot decide the question alone. Attribution to Hierax rests on the portrait style, the specific reverse type and control marks, and a mint in Asia Minor, best confirmed against standard catalogues or by a specialist.
What should the reverse figure look like?
Look for a standing or seated figure holding a shield and a spear, martial attributes tied to Athena. Note that the more familiar Seleucid reverse is a seated Apollo on the omphalos, so a shield-and-spear figure is a distinguishing feature to record carefully.
How can I confirm it is a full tetradrachm and not a smaller coin?
Weigh and measure it. A tetradrachm sits on the order of about 16 to 17 grams and roughly 27 to 32 mm across. Lighter, smaller coins with similar imagery are drachms or fractions, so weight is the key test between denominations.
What are the main warning signs of a fake?
A seam around the edge, a soft or bubbly surface, and a dull tone suggest a cast copy, while unnaturally sharp detail or a freshly recut legend on an otherwise worn coin suggests tooling. For valuable examples, seek specialist attribution or certification.