Earlier this year I posted the Rome mint version of the Titus Caesar Nike drachm. https://www.cointalk.com/threads/extremely-rare-titus-drachm.287464/ Now I'm happy to report that I just acquired the local Cappadocian version. Unfortunately, I loaned out my digital camera and have only the dodgy dealer photo. Titus Caesar AR Drachm, 3.03g Caesarea, Cappadocia mint, 73-74 AD RPC 1655 (2 spec.) Obv: AYTO KAI OYЄCΠACIANOC CEBACTOY YIOC; Head of Titus, laureate, bearded, r. Rev: NIKH CЄBACTH; Nike advancing r., wreath in r. hand, palm in l. hand Acquired from eBay, October 2017. Caesarea in Cacppadocia struck a fairly large issue of silver coins in 76/77 AD. There are two distinct styles: 'Roman' (with a 6 o'clock die axis) struck at Rome for circulation in Cappadocia, and 'local' (with a 12 o'clock die axis) struck at Caesarea. Drachms with the Nike type were struck for Titus Caesar in both Roman and local style. This coin is most certainly a Cappadocian produced piece based on style and the 12 o'clock die axis. It is slightly scarcer than the corresponding Rome issue. With a fineness near 48%, this drachm was overvalued against the denarius by 67%, assuming the two denominations were of equal value. Please share your 'captivating Cappadocians'!
Lovely coin. I have no "Cappadocians", but I'd love to visit that area, particularly the cave dwellings.
My only Cappadocia (captivating or otherwise) is this Silver Drachm of Aridbarzanes I who was in power from 95 to 63 BC.
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 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
Terrific OP!! Interesting style!! Hmm, it seems my only 'probable' example from Cappodocia is my just posted Nero/Claudius Tet but I'll keep looking Ah, and the Mount Argaeus example Bing just posted....
Cappadocia produced some very nice items. My only one features Nero on a Hemidrachm. Nero AR Hemidrachm Obverse: NERO CLAVD DIVI CLAVD F CAESAR AVG GERMANI, laureate head right Reverse: Victory seated right on globe Cappadocia, Caesaria, c54-63 AD. SGI 616, RPC 3645. RIC 617. Sydenham 82.
I think your tet is quite fascinating because of that air of mystery surrounding its home mint. Another possibility - Caesarean mint engravers working in Antioch?
For anyone keeping track of this sort of thing, notice how the OP Titus Caesar portrait is very similar to those of Vespasian that were produced locally. Perhaps the same engraver worked on both coins?
