Attractive Group of Cappadocian Drachms

175, Lot: 97. Estimate $200. Sold for $206. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

KINGS of CAPPADOCIA. Ariarathes V Eusebes Philopator. Circa 163-130 BC. AR Drachm (19mm, 4.33 g, 12h). Mint A (Eusebeia-Mazaka). Diademed head right / Athena Nikephoros standing left; monograms to inner left and outer right, GL in exergue. Simonetta 27 (Ariarathes IV); SNG Copenhagen Supp. 697; SNG von Aulock 6269. Good VF, lightly toned.

The attribution of much of the middle Cappadocian series has long been the subject of debate, primarily between B. Simonetta and O. Morkholm. Morkholm's attribtions appear to be more firmly grounded, particularly in hoard studies, and thus his conclusions that the earliest silver drachms are those of Ariarathes V and that the exergual letters on this series are not regnal dates are likely correct. As such, the latest studies and SNGs have attributed this portion of the series following his conclusions.

Ariarathes V was the son of Ariarathes IV, and grandson of the Seleukid king Antiochos III, the Great. He was a champion of hellenism,and his reign saw the zenith of Cappadocia's kingdom. His refusal to marry Laodice, the widow of king Perseus of Macedon, angered the Seleukid king Demetrios I, who subsequently supported the usurpation of Orophernes. Ariarathes fled to Rome, but later returned with the aid of Attalos II of Pergamon (also an ally of Rome) and quickly suppressed the revolt. His patronage to Rome was rewarded with the addition of eastern Cilicia to his kingdom, and his rule was beneficial and popular. He died in battle fighting for Rome against the Pergamene pretender Aristonikos.