The numismatic chronicle and journal of the Royal ... - IndianCoins.org

254 NUMISMATIC CHRONICLE.Rev. Dionysus standing to clad in chiton 1.,holds in;r. hand cantharos, in 1.thyrsus adorned withwreath.- Border of dots. BA . AN. (1.).M. 0-6. Half-chalcous. Wt. 39-5 grs.[PI. X. 10.]This is an interesting piece, because it is the solitaryexample which bears the letters ZTA on the obverse.Their presence beneath the head of Antiochus YI withthe reverse type of Dionysus is significant, when youremember that according to the mythology Staphyloswas the son of Dionysus. The interpretation of ZTA hasalways been a puzzle ; and it is difficult to believethat it is only a romantic name for Tryphon,or eventhat it stands for the name of a second official inthe guardianship of the ill-fated boy king. Probablyit is an allusion to the claim of Antiochus VI to beDionysus. It is hardly a mere coincidence that the ivyleaf finds a place in the border of the beautiful tetradrachmswhich belong to him.DEMETRIUS II (NICATOR).Second reign. 182-187 A.S. 130-125 B.C.23. Gbv. Diademed head of King to r., wears full beardand hair waved in Parthian fashion. Filletborder.Rev. Zeus diademed, and clad in chlamys, seated onthrone to 1. ;holds sceptre in 1. and in r. littleVictory, who crowns him. Slightly doublestruck.In field 1., AN. In exergue, daternp. 183 A.S., 129 B.C. BAZIAEOZAHMHTPIOY (r.);GEOY NIKATOPOZ (1.).JR. 1-15. Attic tetradrachm. Wt. 264 grs.[PI. X. 11.]This coin has been mounted as a brooch, and thesurface presents both the smoothness due to attrition,