My first coin ever from this Greek-speaking kingdom. In my search a few weeks ago for more Seleucid silver, I discovered Cappadocian coinage. More specifically, I knew it existed, but it didn't really appeal to me until now. Since the style of the coinage is basically the same as that of the Seleucids, it only seems natural that I gravitated towards Cappadocia (a region in modern-day Turkey for those that don't know). For now though, with ancient Greek coinage, I'm just fine with picking up whatever grabs my interest. Nothing that will really knock socks off but at least cool and decent stuff that I would still very much enjoy having in my possession, and hopefully you all will find interesting as well. Ariarathes V, Cappadocian Kingdom AR drachm Obv: Diademed head of Ariarathes V right Rev: BAΣIΛEΩΣ AΡIAΡAΘOY EYΣEBOYΣ, Athena standing left, holding Nike & resting hand on grounded shield, HDI monogram in outer left field, PAFI monogram in inner left field, regnal year GL (33) in exergue Mint: (Not specified) Date: 130 BC Ref: SG 7286 Facts on Ariarathes V: Ariarathes Eusebes Philopator ruled the Cappadocian Kingdom from 163 to 130 BC (or 126 BC). His father and predecessor as king was also named Ariarathes (IV). His mother was Antiochis, the daughter of Antiochus III of the Seleucid Empire. Ariarathes V, whose birth name was Mithridates, was of Greek and Persian heritage, and was a student of the schools of Athens. He was well-known for his character, and for his strong interest in philosphy, liberal arts, and Greek culture, and was thought by some as the greatest king Cappadocia ever had. His rejection of a marriage with the sister of Seleucid king Demetrius I Soter led to a declaration of war by the latter on the Cappadocian Kingdom, around 158 BC. Ariarathes was forced out of Asia Minor, where a new king had been installed, his brother Orophernes. He found refuge in Rome, and soon after the Romans helped restore Ariarathes as king, but under joint rule with his brother. Later on only Ariarathes is mentioned as king, suggesting this arrangement did not last. His wife, Nysa (daughter of the king of Pontus), killed all of their children except for one in a failed bid for the kingdom. She was executed as a result. When the kings of Pergamum and Bithynia went to war with each other, Ariarathes decided to back the former, and so he sent his son Demetrius and his army to assist Pergamum. Later on, however, Ariarathes found himself fighting his former allies when he sided with the Romans (his longtime supporters) when they warred with Pergamum. It was this conflict that cost Ariarathes his life in 130/126 BC. He was succeeded by his youngest and only surviving son, Ariarathes VI. As gratitude for helping to bring about the Roman victory over Pergamum, Ariarathes's family was awarded Cilicia and Lycaonia. Map of the region around 89 BC: More info here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ariarathes_V_of_Cappadocia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kingdom_of_Cappadocia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cappadocia http://www.livius.org/articles/person/ariarathes-v-eusebes-philopator/ Feel free to contribute anything relevant: coins, info, pictures, etc.
I find the area interesting as well, really a cross roads for different cultures. Ariarathes V Mint: Eusebeia-Mazaca 135 BC AR Drachm Obvs: Diademed head of Ariarathes right Revs: BAΣIΛEΩΣ APIAPAΘOV EVΣEBOYΣ, Athena holding Nike/shield. Monograms left, HK below 19mm, 4.1g
I like the design of the coins. I like them so much, that on my last trip to Poland I made a point of shopping at a small coin shop where I found this one and, of course, purchased it: CAPPADOCIAN KINGDOM: Ariarathes V AR Drachm OBVERSE: Diademed head of Ariarathes V right REVERSE: Athena standing left, holding Nike & resting hand on grounded shield, HDI monogram in outer left field, PAFI monogram in inner left field, HF monogram in outer right field, date GL in exergue Struck at Cappadocia, Year 33 (= 130 BC) 4.2g, 18mm SNG Copenhagen Suppl. 673–678. Simonetta p. 24, 20b And some other coins from Cappadocia TRAJAN AR Drachm OBVERSE: AYT KAIC NEΡ TΡAIANO CEB ΓEΡM, laureate head right REVERSE: ΔHMAΡX EΞ UΠAT Γ, Arabia standing left holding branch and cinnamon sticks, camel to left at feet. Struck at Caesaria, Cappadocia, or Bostra, Arabia, 100 AD 3.45g 18mm Sydenham183 ex Ken Dorney ANTONIUS PIUSAE20 OBVERSE: AYTOC ANTWNEUNOC CEBACTOC, laureate, draped bust right REVERSE: KAICAREW N T P ARGAI, Mt. Argaeus culminating in tall pyramidal top (baetyl?), ET Q in ex. Struck at Caesaria, Cappadocia, AD 145-146 7.4g, 20mm Syd 310 var ANTONIUS PIUS AR Didrachm OBVERSE: ANTWNEI-NOC CEBACTOC, laureate head right REVERSE: YPAT B PAT PATR, Helios, holding globe and sceptre, standing atop Mt. Argaeus; * in exergue Struck at Caesaria, Cappadocia, 139 AD 6.2g, 21mm Syd 301c SEPTIMIUS SEVERUS AR Drachm OBVERSE: AY Λ CЄΠ CЄOYHPOC, laureate head right REVERSE: MHTPOΠO KAICAPIAC, Mt. Argaeus surmounted by star, ETЄ in ex Struck at Cappadocia, Caesarea, Year 5=A.D. 196/7 2.58 g, 17mm Sydenham 395 GORDIAN III AR Drachm OBVERSE: AY K M ANT ΓΟΡΔΙΑΝΟC CE, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right REVERSE: MHTPO KAIC B N, Mt. Argaeus, ETΔ in ex Struck at Cappadocia, Caesarea, Year 4=A.D. 240-241 2.96g, 18.6mm Sydenham 603d
Very nice posts!! Cool example V-K and a wonderful write-up!! Beides a few Imperial examples (Cappadocia), I did pick up this drachm of Ariarathes from a Free auction at FAC: Circa 163-130 BC. AR Drachm (18mm, 4.28 g, 12h). Mint A (Eusebeia-Mazaca). Dated RY 33 (131/30 BC). Diademed head right , Athena Nikephoros standing left, holding spear and round shield set on ground monogram to inner left and outer right
Awesome Cappadocia Coins, you know I got to post mine again. I bet you guys were going to say "oh boy not that Julia Domna again"
Cool coins all and thanks for the kind words! Just for the record the surface porosity isn't as prominent in hand (angle of the light I suppose, plus being zoomed in).
Thanks David. I'm alright with putting Eusebeia as a placeholder until more detailed info comes my way. Now that I have a drachm, I'll definitely be on the lookout for a Cappadocian tetradrachm that I like and is within budget! Speaking of tetradrachms, I do have one of Demetrius I, the Seleucid ruler that Ariarathes went to war with: Demetrius I Soter, Seleucid Empire AR tetradrachm Obv: Diademed head right, within wreath Rev: BASILEWS DHMHTRIOU, Tyche holding scepter and cornucopia, seated left on throne supported by tritoness, monogram to outer left Mint: Antioch Date:161-150 BC Size: 32 mm, 16 gr Ref: SC 1634 Provenance: Ex Stephen Glover Collection (Classical Numismatic Group Electronic Auction 264)
Nice coins! Here's two from Caesarea and one from Tyana. Cappadocia, Caesarea. Severus Alexander AE20. Obverse: AYK CEOV ALEΞAND, laureate bust right. Reverse: MHT P K AIC, three stalks of grain tied together, ET - H. Caesarea, Cappadocia. Severus Alexander AE28. Obv: Laureate, draped & cuirassed bust right, AY K CEOVH ALEXAND. Rev: Mount Argaeus, ETG below. MHT KAIC. Year 3 = 224 AD. Cappadocia, Tyana. Antoninus Pius. Tyche Tyana, Cappadocia. Antoninus Pius. Laurate emperor bust right / Greek_epsilon Greek_Tau Greek_Theta Greek_Iota all in field left of seated Tyche. 22mm and 10.6 gm..
ooow, yah => I forgot about this Cappadocia winner ... Tranquillina, Cappadocia, Caesarea-Eusebia, AR Drachm 241-244 AD Tranquillina & Mount Argaeus Thanks for the coin-assist, Jango
Oh you can get them on large bronzes as well... Caracalla, AD 198-217 AE27, 14.5g, 12h; Caesarea Cappadocia, year 13 (of the rule of Septimius Severus), AD 204/5. Obv.: AY KAI M AYP ANTΩNINOC; Laureate head right. Rev.: MHTPOΠ KAICAPEI; Agalma of Mt. Argaeus, star over summit // ETIΓ (year 13)
