Sale: CNG 63, Lot: 1045. Estimate $1000.  Closing Date: Wednesday, 21 May 2003.  Sold For $1100. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

SYRIA, Seleucis and Pieria. Antioch. Autonomous. 47-5 BC. AR Drachm (3.74 gm). Dated Caesarean Era year 3 (47/46 BC). Turreted, draped and veiled bust of Tyche right / ANTIOCEWN TH[S] MHTROPOLEWS KAI AUTONOMOU, Tyche standing left, holding rudder and cornucopiae; G in exergue. Prieur -; RPC I -; cf. RPC I Sup. S-4131A; SNG Copenhagen -. Toned, good VF. Unpublished and unique! ($1000)

Ex Dieter Gorny 60 (5 October 1992), lot 265. 

This interesting drachm is one of two known drachms for the pre-Augustan period in Antioch. The other, RPC Suppl. S-4131A, dated year 8 (42/1 BC), employs the same obverse type and reverse legend as the present specimen, but a tripod reverse type rather than Tyche standing. Exceptional denominations for this period, the exact reason for their issue is uncertain. Nevertheless, Julius Caesar bestowed freedom upon Antioch in 47 BC, the same year this coin is dated to, so it may have been issued in commemoration of this event.