![ROMAN. Augustus, Tetradrachm, Antiochia-ad-Orontem 5 BC [ARI-412] - Image 2](https://colonialcoins.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/ARI-412-1.jpg)
Description
Roman Empire, Imperātor Caesar Augustus (Augustus), Roman Emperor and founder of the Julio-Claudian Dynasty 27 BC – 14 AD, Silver Tetradrachm (15.08g, 26mm), Provincial Coinage of Prōvincia Syria, Antiochīa-ad-Orontem mint, dated Year 26 of the ‘Era of Victory’ or Actian Era (5 BC). Obverse: Laureate head of Augustus facing to the right, Ancient Greek legend surrounds, “ΚΑΙΣΑΡΟΣ [ΣΕΒ]ΑΣΤΟY”. Reverse: Tychē seated right, draped and wearing Mural Crown, holding palm branch aloft in right hand, nude figure of Orontēs emerges from rocks below whilst raising left arm, to left field: “ΥΠΑ” monogram and “IB” stating the emperor’s 12th Consulship in Ancient Greek, above mintmark “ANT” as a monogram, legend surrounds, “ETOYΣ SK ΝΙΚΗΣ”. RPC-4151; McAlee-180; Preur-50. Some obverse metal stress which feels not so detracting from the piece’s overall visual appeal, the reverse is notably choice and well struck, an excellent example of the type and an early Imperial tetradrachm of Antioch on the Orontes, near Extremely Fine, moderately scarce.
The obverse Ancient Greek legend reads “ΚΑΙΣΑΡΟΣ ΣΕΒΑΣΤΟY”, in lower case as “Καίσᾰρος Σεβᾰστοῦ”, transliterated as “Kaísăros Sebăstoû”, with an English translation of “of Caesar Augustus”. The reverse Ancient Greek legend reads “ETOYΣ SK ΝΙΚΗΣ”, in lower case as “ἔτους ϚK νῑ́κης”, transliterated as “étous 26 nī́kēs”, with an English translation of “of the Year 26 of Victory”. To the reverse field, Augustus’ twelfth term as Consul is stated as a “ΥΠΑ IB”, reading unabridged as “ὑπᾰ́του ιβ”, transliterated as “hupắtou 12” – “ῠ̔́πᾰτος” (‘hŭ́pătos’) was the Ancient Greek equivalent of the Latin “cōnsul” and as an adjective is translated as “highest / top / furthest”.
