I am excited to get this delivered! This is my first purchase over $50, so I am pretty happy! Diademed head of Ariobarzanes I right / ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ-ΑΡΙΟΒΑΡZΑΝΟΥ-ΦΙΛΟΡΩΜΑΙΟΥ, Athena standing left, Nike in right hand, left hand resting on grounded shield, spear behind; T in inner left field, IC (date) below. Simonetta 26 var. (date)
Congratulations on your Ariobarzanes drachm! Why did you decide to choose this one? Did you like the design, or the king? Some of my Cappadocian kings: Ariarathes V Eusebes Philopator (163-130 BC). AR Drachm. Eusebeia-Mazaca mint, struck 133-132 B.C. Obverse: Diademed head of Ariarathes V to right. Reverse: BAΣΙΛΕΩΣ APIAPAΘOY EYΣEBOYΣ Athena standing left, holding Nike; A to outer left; monogram in outer right and inner left; below, date AΛ. Reference: Simonetta 8a (Ariarathes IV); HGC 811. 4.18g Ariarathes IX Eusebes Philopator (circa 100-85 B.C.) AR Drachm. Mint B (Eusebeia-Mazaka). Dated RY 13 or 15 (88/7 or 86/5 BC). Obverse: Diademed head right, with Mithradatic style portrait. Reverse: BAΣΙΛΕΩΣ APIAPAΘOY EYΣEBOYΣ, Athena Nikephoros standing left; monogram to inner left, [date in exergue]. Reference: Callataÿ p. 181, obv. die D37 var. (slightly different monogram); Ariarathes VI Epiphanes Philopator (130-116 B.C.). Imitation AR Tetradrachm in the name of Antiochos VII Euergetes (Sidetes) (138-129 B.C.). Cappadocian mint. Unmarked issue, perhaps dated Year 1. Obverse: Diademed head of Antiochos VII to right. Reverse: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ / ΑΝΤΙΟΧΟY - EYEPΓETOY Athena standing front, head to left, holding Nike in her right hand and spear and shield in her left; to outer left, monogram above A; all within wreath. Reference: Early Cappadocian Tetradrachms in the Name of Antiochus VII (Elke Krengel, Catharine C. Lorber). Mint IV, emission 11, engraver X. Plate 18, 668 (same P4 reverse die). 15.82g; 28mm.
A bit of both. I teach history, and I have a sense of humor, so I find Ariobarzanes really interesting. I just find that he was a Persian placed on the throne by the Romans to placate the citizens of Cappadocia, which they then overthrew twice. I find it a bit ironic. Plus I love the Cappadocian drachma designs. So it was a win win!
Cool! I don't have many Greek coins, but I do have my own drachm of Ariobarzanes I, which I bought mainly for the portrait:
