KINGS of CAPPADOCIA, Ariarathes IX. 101-87 BC. AR Drachm (18mm, 4.10 g, 1h). Mint A (Eusebeia-Mazaca). Diademed head of Mithradates VI of Pontos right /
BASILEWS ARIARAQOU EUSEBOUS, Athena Nikephoros standing left; monogram to inner left;
D in exergue. Simonetta 3a; De Callataÿ pg. 180-1 (unlisted dies); SNG Copenhagen 880; BMC 3; SNG von Aulock 6305. VF, toned, light scratch in obverse field.
Ariarathes IX was the son of Mithradates VI of Pontos, and, although very young, was placed on the throne of Cappadocia during the height of his father's power. According to O. Mørkholm (in his articles in Essays Robinson and QT 1975), the obverses on the last two years of Ariarathes' mint A coinage carried a portrait of the Pontic king rather than his son. The purpose of the change is uncertain, but it may have been done in relation to a revolt of Cappadocian nationalists. These nationalists recalled the young Ariarathes VIII and promoted him as their king, in opposition to Mithradates VI and his puppet king. This revolt was quickly suppressed, and Mørkholm argued that in the aftermath Mithradates had his portriat placed upon the coinage as a more overt pronouncement of his rule over the Cappadocians via his son.
